The Chinese misses opportunity to show magnanimity People leave on a boat against the backdrop of a destroyed fishing community after the Super typhoon … The Chinese leadership has missed an opportunity to show its magnanimity, says Joseph Cheng, a political science professor at the City University of Hong Kong who focuses on Chinas ties with Southeast Asia. “While still offering aid to the typhoon victims, it certainly reflects the unsatisfactory state of relations with Manila, he added Chinas ties with the Philippines are already fragile as a decades-old territorial squabble over the South China Sea enters a more contentious chapter, with claimant nations spreading deeper into disputed waters in search of energy supplies, while building up their navies. Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also claim parts of the South China Sea, making it one of the regions biggest flashpoints. The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), a 10-nation grouping that includes the Philippines, has been talking to China about a binding code of conduct in South China Sea to ease the friction, but Beijings frugal aid hints at a deeply entrenched rivalry that could make forging consensus difficult. Even Chinas state-run Global Times newspaper, known for its nationalistic and often hawkish editorial views, expressed concern about the impact on Beijings international standing. China, as a responsible power, should participate in relief operations to assist a disaster-stricken neighboring country, no matter whether its friendly or not, the paper said in a commentary. Chinas international image is of vital importance to its interests. If it snubs Manila this time, China will suffer great losses. Super Typhoon Haiyan tore through the central Philippines on Friday and flattened the city of Tacloban, where officials fear 10,000 people died. Officials fear the toll could rise sharply as rescuers reach more isolated towns. Overwhelmed by the scale of the disaster, the Philippines has sought international assistance. The U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier the USS George Washington, carrying about 5,000 sailors and more than 80 aircraft, will arrive this week after setting sail from Hong Kong on Tuesday. It has been joined by four other U.S. Navy ships. The United States is also providing $20 million in immediate aid. Japan said it will give $10 million and send a small number of soldiers and medical personnel. GET DETAIL ATtarsiernews
Posted on: Mon, 02 Dec 2013 18:13:40 +0000
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