Illustration: Peter C. Espina/GT

 International politics doesn't usually infringe on daily life. But soon after an international tribunal ruled against China and in favor of the Philippines on the South China Sea disputes, some Chinese netizens called for a boycott of fruits imported from this Southeast Asian country.

Slogans such as "Starve the Filipinos to death!" have been circulated on social media platforms. As a result, an increasing number of vendors on Taobao, the largest e-shop in China, pledged to give any Philippine snacks in stock to customers for free. Dried Philippine mangos were the biggest victim.

Interestingly, while boycotting the Philippine fruits, Chinese netizens seem to have largely excused the US, an agitator for the South China Sea arbitration, from their patriotic actions.

Since last year, the Pentagon has intensified its reconnaissance targeted at China. Using "freedom of navigation" as an excuse, the US aircraft carriers, fighter jets and naval ships flexed their muscles on China's doorstep from time to time.

However, Chinese netizens still seem to be enthusiastic about US commodities. Take Apple electronic devices. As a symbol of social status and wealth, iPhones receive a warm welcome, especially among young Chinese people, who, on the other hand, are the major "patriotic forces" calling for a boycott of Philippine-imported products.

Netizens' divided attitudes to Philippine and US products are within expectations. Compared with Apple products, netizens believe the boycott of Philippine fruits brings them little inconvenience, because dried mangos can be bought from other places, but dumping iPhones would be much more difficult.

Apple is one of the most competitive brands in quality and technology. China is not only the leading market for iPhones, it also occupies an important position in its manufacture and supply chain. Put another way, boycotting iPhones will sour business to related sectors, many of which are in China, an unintended consequence for patriots.

While excusing Apple from their patriotic actions, netizens should be aware that the boycott of Philippine fruits hurts China too. In fact, it is mainly Chinese that run the dried mango business. From wholesalers and shippers to retailers, Chinese have played a pivotal role in and have benefited a lot from the supply chains of the Philippine fruits. The boycott of dried mangos might be seen as an attempt to pressure the Philippines. However, innocent Chinese businessmen will turn out to be victims of this supposedly patriotic act.

Boycotts and sanctions are seeing diminishing effects in this globalized era where the world economy is increasingly integrated. This is exemplified by China's attitudes to Japanese commodities.

Amid the island rows, anti-Japan protests hit several major cities in China in 2012, during which Japanese-branded cars were smashed and shops selling Japanese goods were vandalized. But a Chinese frenzy for Japanese goods hit the headlines in just three years after the 2012 boycott. Chinese consumers flocked to Japan and bought up the stock of high-tech smart toilet lids during the 2015 Spring Festival. The economic integration between the two countries is the main reason for the change in Chinese people's attitude to Japanese goods.

Unlike the past, an increasing number of countries are involved in the same industrial chain in the globalized era. As a result, the benefits of different countries are becoming interwoven. This has lowered the risk of conflicts, but, at the same time, has weakened the role of boycotts and sanctions in the face of potential clashes.

After all, cooperation is now a major theme of the 21st century.

The author is a reporter with the Global Times. liujianxi@globaltimes.com.cn