Shi Yinhong, an expert on US studies with Renmin University of China, said if there are provocations from either the Philippines or the USA and others after the ruling, “China will certainly respond, in both diplomatic and military ways”.
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The Philippines brought its long-simmering disputes with China in the South China Sea to global arbitration in January 2013 after Beijing took control of disputed Scarborough Shoal following a standoff.
He said that although China possesses the ability to recover the islands that were illegally occupied by other countries, “in the interest of regional peace and stability, China has all along exercised enormous restraint”.
The newspaper says the dispute has been complicated by United States intervention.
China has also blamed the USA for stirring up tensions through its freedom of navigation missions in the maritime hub, which sees overlapping territorial claims from Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan as well.
Dai Bingguo, a former State Councillor and top diplomat in Washington, also said China would not be intimidated even if the USA sent 10 aircraft carriers to patrol in the disputed waters.
“China hopes disputes can be resolved by talks, it must be prepared for any military confrontation”, the newspaper said in its editorial. “This is common sense in global relations”.
This strategic waterway has turned into a game of chess between China and some of its neighbors along the South China Sea, which have made a series of territorial claims and are backed by the United States, Ebrahim said.
“It has to plan for the worst”, it said in an editorial yesterday.
China has refused to take part in the proceedings saying the tribunal has no jurisdiction in the matter.
Seeking to extend the reach of its publicity efforts, China is now even using social media tools that are banned domestically.
This photo taken on December 11, 2015 shows uniquely lovely winter scenery of the Zhaoshu Island in the South China Sea.
Ahead of the ruling, China on Tuesday kicked off week-long military drills in the Paracel Islands in a show of force.
The drill will last from Tuesday July 5th until July 11.
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With a so-called “international arbitration” to be decided by the Arbitral Tribunal on the South China Sea, more and more countries around the world have expressed support for China in the arbitration unilaterally initiated by the Philippines and for China’s stance on the South China Sea disputes. “At the same time, we remain committed to resolving the disputes with affected countries through dialogue and negotiations”.
