Vol. 80/No. 19 May 16, 2016
U.S.-Philippine exercises heighten tensions with Beijing
These are among the latest developments as Washington and Beijing jockey for control of the South China Sea, one of the busiest commercial waterways.
Domination of the Pacific was one of the most cherished conquests of U.S. imperialism coming out of its bloody victory in World War II. Today this is challenged by the growing economic and military role of Beijing.
Other governments in the region contest the Chinese government’s claim to the vast majority of the sea and its islands. Washington is using these rivalries to expand its military ties, from the Philippines to India.
Under the new agreement, Washington can build and operate facilities at five Philippine military bases for at least 10 years, including on the western island of Palawan, which has 270 miles of coastline along the South China Sea. In the early 1990s, sustained protests by working people forced the Pentagon to close its large bases in the Philippines. But for more than a decade the Philippine government has gradually allowed an expanded U.S. military presence.
The two militaries have begun joint patrols of the seas, said Defense Secretary Ashton Carter April 14 in Manila, on a visit that coincided with a 10-day U.S.-Philippine military drill.
Carter also visited the USS John Stennis, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, as it cruised through the South China Sea. “We have been here for decade upon decade,” he said. “What’s new is the context and tension that exists,” he said, blaming Beijing.
Over the recent period the Chinese government has carried out major dredging in the sea, turning reefs and islets into islands, and built runways that can host the biggest Chinese aircraft, radar installations and ports. The U.S. Navy has conducted “freedom of navigation” military patrols close to Beijing’s newly built islands, leading to protests by Chinese officials.
“China was the first country to discover, name, develop and manage the South China Sea islands,” Foreign Minister Wang Yi told a news conference in March. “History will prove who is a mere guest and who is a real host.”
Beijing seized control of the Scarborough Shoal four years ago after a military standoff with the Philippine coast guard. The Philippine government complained to a U.N.-organized arbitration court, accusing Beijing of violating international law and of interfering with Filipino fishermen in the area. A ruling is expected in the coming months.
Before visiting the Philippines, Carter met with Indian officials for talks about increased military cooperation between Washington and New Delhi, whose rulers are also in growing competition with Beijing. The measures agreed to were limited to logistics, sharing information and opening up each other’s military bases for refueling and restocking, which the New York Times described as “largely symbolic.”
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