Philippine President Benigno Aquino III addresses a press conference at the Malacanan Palace in Manila, capital of the Philippines, on October 11, 2010. Photo: Xinhua

Philippine President Benigno Aquino III's ongoing visit to the US is widely seen as a move to secure Washington's assurance of help amid Manila's row with China. The Philippine public holds lofty expectations for this trip, with hope high that Aquino's meeting with US President Barack Obama will bring special security for the Philippines.

Manila's confrontational mentality on the South China Sea issue remains despite its latest flare-ups of friction with China. Manila has been imposing on its public the idea that all their territorial claims can be realized, and Aquino is the patriotic hero who will lead his people to subdue China. The US connives at Manila's lies to the Philippine people.

As a matter of fact, the Philippines will be safe if it stays rational and refrains from the delusion of offsetting China's advantages as a weak country itself. US protection will not be almighty if Manila insists on taking the plunge and engaging in an armed confrontation with China.

The Philippines should avoid provoking or forcing China to take countermeasures.

Aquino is trying to play the anti-China card to reinforce his rule. In the US, bashing China is always an effective strategy for election candidates. It remains unknown whether such a tactic will be widely adopted in other Asian countries that have friction with China.

Currently, what undermines China's interests most is the Aquino administration's consistent show of provoking China. Manila has become a megaphone blaring abuse directed at China, harming the friendly atmosphere between China and Southeast Asian countries.

China should maintain its cold treatment toward the Aquino administration and let it suffer politically for confronting China. China indeed faces limited political and economic leverage, but it is not that China lacks any means to fight back.

China should cut contacts with senior officials from Manila, refuse visits from its special envoys, continue banning exports of agricultural products including bananas from the Philippines, suspend tourist trips to the country, and so on. All these will help Southeast Asian politicians weigh the pros and cons of brandishing patriotism via a crisis with China.

China should prevent Asia from slipping into a political model that any government could reap long-term political profits from by confronting China with US support.

China should make efforts and let Southeast Asian politicians see clearly that anti-China moves will only lead to their plummets in the polls.

For now, letting Aquino suffer from dismal support ratings should dominate China's policy in dealing with Manila.