Aquino's ignorance of history rather pathetic

Even if we pardon Philippine President Benigno Aquino III for being "an amateur student of history", we cannot ignore his ignorance. What kind of national leader would liken defensive-by-nature China to Nazi Germany?

Delivering a speech in Japan a few days ago, the Philippine president said the world was taking a great risk by continuing to appease China in the territorial disputes in the South China Sea, and compared the situation to Adolf Hitler annexing Sudentenland in former Czechoslovakia before World War II. He had made similar remarks last year while telling The New York Times that his country alone could not stand up to China.

In painting this "David versus Goliath" picture, Aquino III could well be afraid and uncertain, which is understandable. However, he can rest assured that China will not target a country just because it is small.

But "small countries should not make trouble willfully and endlessly", as Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying has said. Manila has been in dispute with Beijing exactly because for decades it has been grabbing isles claimed by China.

Even if some countries are uncertain about China's intentions in defending its land and maritime territories, do they have to so brazenly compare it with Nazi Germany?

Considering his comparison, one can see Aquino III is seeking other countries' help to counter China's legitimate claims in the South China Sea. But seeking the help of Japan - a country which trampled the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries during WWII and whose current leader refuses to face up to its wartime past - is not just shameless, but also a betrayal of the WWII legacy. Aquino III should feel lucky that his country is dealing with China, whose reclamation work in the South China Sea is only to defend its territorial integrity, not to expand its territory.

While comparing China to Nazi Germany, Aquino III failed to mention that the Philippines too has expanded its maritime border in the South China Sea in recent decades. The Philippines did not raise any objection to China's claim on Nansha Islands after WWII. But after huge oil reserves were discovered there in the 1970s, it quietly began encroaching upon the islands.

China did not tell the Philippines to stop doing so, nor did it invade that country like Japan did during WWII. The "China threat" theory Aquino and other politicians are playing up is just a figment of their imagination. And the least said about accusing China of impairing navigational freedom in the South China Sea the better.

On all these issues, either Aquino III has a bad memory or he has chosen to selectively forget aspects of history to seek the support of other countries such as the United States.

Aquino III has to be reminded that the US is not even a relevant party to the South China Sea issue. If he thinks a fox can assume the majesty of a tiger by riding on its back, he will only embarrass himself.

China's determination to safeguard its sovereignty and maritime rights and interests is unshakable. Neither the Philippines nor any other country can change that.

Xinhua News Agency

(China Daily 06/06/2015 page5)