THERE’S trouble a-brewing where God had sprinkled some insignificant-looking islands, islets, shoals and coral reefs in the so-called South China Sea, collectively referred to as the Spratly Islands, or Spratlys for short. Several nations around the area have laid claim to some of these tiny dots and surrounding waters on the map which are close to them geographically. The biggest claimant is the People’s Republic of China which claims the whole caboodle as its own. The smaller nations—area-wise, population-wise, economy-wise are rejecting with some vehemence China’s claim, a surefire formula for testy international relationships.
Although the smaller nations have resorted to token occupancy of their claims and planted their national flags thereon by way of telling would-be intruders to stay away, China, the farthest country from the Spratlys, has warned her little neighbors to renounce their claims (and stay healthy?) The warning is backed by the biggest economy in this part of the world, not to say biggest population with the biggest standing army. No question about it. China has the means to assert sovereignty over the Spratlys under the dictum “Might is Right”.
But will China resort to war to enforce its claim over the Spratlys which reportedly sit on a huge reserve of oil China needs badly for its insatiable industrial might? That’s the proverbial $64 question the answer to which remains to be seen.
However, there is hope that the issue of sovereignty can still be settled amicably to everyone’s satisfaction. The key here is for the so-called “minnows” to unflinchingly stand their ground and insist that the crisis be settled under the framework of international law. Meanwhile, all concerned should refrain from rattling their sabers and spewing angry rhetoric. If there’s oil down there, why not share it equitably and make everybody happy?
On the other hand, what if there’s no oil? What’s the sound and fury all about?
