CONFRONTATION: Students clash with police outside the U.S. Embassy in Manila on April 16, protesting a joint Philippine-U.S. military drill in the Philippines (XINHUA/AFP)

The Huangyan Island standoff was provoked by the Philippines in the beginning, and intensified because of its misjudgment. As it persisted with an incorrect approach, it missed opportunities for a timely diplomatic solution.

The international community has reached a consensus that the Huangyan Island in the South China Sea is a Chinese territory outside the Philippines. The Philippines, of course, is aware of this reality. Given this, its stance toward the recent incident is awkward, inconsistent and blustering.

The Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines reportedly declared on April 27 that the Philippines would suspend talks with China on the Huangyan Island incident, adding uncertainty to the resolution of the standoff. But it later denied the report.

Also, Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert Del Rosario has publicly asked other countries to oppose China on the issue. In the realm of international relations, a country won't win support if it urges others to take sides on bilateral issues. The Philippines' threats to suspend talks and attempts to get other countries involved won't help resolve the dispute, but will aggravate regional tensions and undermine the peace and stability of the South China Sea. As a result, the Philippines will be isolated.

Notably, the Philippines was greatly disappointed when the United States, its allied partner, failed to offer explicit support. The Philippines managed to show off its alliance with the United States in the wake of the standoff. For example, the two countries held a joint military drill and a 2+2 (foreign secretaries and defense secretaries) dialogue. The Philippines thought the United States would tilt in its favor due to the U.S. strategy of reasserting its global leadership and countering China's growing influence.

But U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on April 30 that the United States would not take sides on the maritime standoff between China and the Philippines after the 2+2 meeting in Washington, D.C. "The United States supports a collaborative diplomatic process by all those involved for resolving the various disputes that they encounter," Clinton said. "We oppose the threat or use of force by any party to advance its claims." Obviously, the United States doesn't recognize the territorial claims of the Philippines and won't support its provocative behavior.

As a matter of fact, the international community, including other countries in the region, has maintained prudence and silence since the standoff erupted in April. This shows all other parties regard the standoff as an isolated incident that should be resolved through bilateral negotiations between China and the Philippines, and they won't support the Philippines' claims or get involved in the dispute.

China has tried hard to end the crisis as soon as possible. It has actively talked with the Philippines for a diplomatic solution while showing a resolute attitude to safeguard its sovereignty. It has coped with the issue adequately and kept the situation under control. The Huangyan Island has long been a Chinese territory. China has sufficient evidence to support this in terms of history and international law. There remains room for China to take further actions in accordance with law.

The author is deputy director of the China Institute for Marine Affairs

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