Missiles unleashed during a joint U.S.-Philippines military drill on Thursday have once again stirred up tensions in the South China Sea, but they won't undermine China's resolve to safeguard its sovereignty.
On Thursday, the United States revealed for the first time that it had launched joint South China Sea naval patrols with the Philippines.
In a show of military force, U.S. Defence Secretary Ashton Carter also announced that nearly 300 troops and five A-10 ground attack aircraft currently in the Philippines for the annual war games will remain in the country through the end of the month.
By increasing its military presence in the Asia-Pacific region, the United States is wading deeper and deeper into a regional row, on which it has promised to stay neutral.
Washington has sent its warships and warplanes to waters and airspace near China's territory in the Sea in recent years.
In late January, a U.S. Navy guided missile destroyer sailed within 12 nautical miles (22 kilometers) off Zhongjian Dao, part of China's Xisha Islands, without prior notice to the Chinese side. It was a clear violation of international law.
In March, the United States and the Philippines announced a deal allowing for a rotating U.S. military presence at five Philippine bases, including one close to China's Nansha Islands, also in the South China Sea.
Taking a lopsided approach favoring China's rival claimants, the world's sole superpower has clearly gone back on its words.
However, in addition to its commitment not to take sides, Washington must be reminded of one simple fact: neither muscle-flexing nor arbitrary intervention will shake China's resolve to safeguard its sovereignty and maritime rights.
Provocations, maneuvers, attempts to involve outsiders, or showing off a military alliance with Washington won't alter the historical fact of China's sovereignty over the South China Sea islands and adjacent waters.
In fact, military instigation only undermine regional peace and worsen an already tense security situation.
Manila should quit muddying the waters in the region and fishing for whatever is politically expedient by infringing upon China's lawful rights and interests.
It is also imperative that Washington fulfill its commitment of not taking sides on the South China Sea issue and allow the concerned parties solve the issue through negotiations in accordance with international law.
China believes in communication and dialogue. The country's aim has always been to solve the South China Sea dispute peacefully and has been steadfast in achieving this goal.
As Chinese President Xi Jinping has said, China welcomes "countries from outside the region" to have a positive influence on peace and development in Asia, but not at the cost of undermining anyone's sovereignty, including China's.
The already complex situation in the South China Sea requires sobriety and restraint, not intervention and narrow-mindedness. A wrong-heading approach would merely stir up trouble, eventually jeopardize regional stability and hurt the interests of all countries involved.
