Beijing, Oct 25: As territorial disputes between China and other countries continue in the South China Sea, a Communist party-run daily today advocated “military action”, saying no existing known methods have been able to resolve them peacefully.
Noting that China's understanding is that it should first negotiate with other countries to solve disputes, Global Times in its hard-hitting editorial said, “If these countries don't want to change their ways with China, they will need to prepare for the sounds of cannons.”
“Currently, China's mainstream understanding is that it should first go through the general channels of negotiating with other countries to solve sea disputes.
“But if a situation turns ugly, some military action is necessary,” the daily said, referring to the detention of Chinese fishing boats by Philippines and South Korea in the disputed waters in the South China Sea.
“If these countries don't want to change their ways with China, they will need to prepare for the sounds of cannons. We need to be ready for that, as it may be the only way for the disputes in the sea to be resolved,” it said.
The Global Times is owned by Communist Party mouthpiece The People's Daily. It also has a reputation for publishing strident and nationalistic editorials that are often highly critical of foreign governments and even Chinese officials.
Terming the conflicts and disputes in the seas in East and South Asia as complicated, the paper said, “No known method exists to solve these issues in a peaceful way.”
“Although China has proposed a strategy that calls for countries in the region to put away differences and work on shared interests, few have responded,” the editorial noted.
“The reality is that each country in the region believes it has what it takes to force China to bow down. China wants to remain calm but it is a lonely role to play. China will have to adjust itself for this reality,” it said.
China's stand that the entire oil rich South China Sea belongs to it came into conflict with Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei and Taiwan.
The newspaper known to strike hawkish stand on issues also came out with a similar editorial against India last month asserting that China should resolutely stop ONGC taking up oil exploration in the blocks claimed by Vietnam in South China Sea.
“India's ambition is growing along with its rapid economic growth. Some Indians even regard its intervention in South China Sea as being able to counter China's behaviour in the Indian Ocean. The joint exploration between India and Vietnam may be seen as an Indian test of China's will.
India is seeking influence akin to US in the region,” it had said in its editorial on September 16.
