China: “make Philippines pay” for US military ties
Filipinos burn a US flag and a mock US stealth bomber while holding an effigy of Philippine President Benigno Aquino and Uncle Sam during a protest in front of the US embassy in Manila on January 28, 2012. The activists picketed the US embassy as they vowed to launch a campaign opposing the planned increased US military role in the Philippines.
As the Philippines hints at allowing more American troops on its soil and more US Navy vessels in its docks, China's state-run media suggests making an example of the Southeast Asian nation.
China is, of course, perennially furious at US military assistance to Taiwan and increasingly frustrated over US involvement in settling contentious land claims in the South China Sea.
A Global Times op-ed says it's payback time.
Says the op-ed: "Well-measured sanctions against the Philippines will make it ponder the choice of losing a friend such as China and being a vain partner with the US."
Economic sancitons, it says, would make the Philippines reconsider its US ties. (And as you can see in this photo, there is a contingent within the largely pro-American Philippines that also wants the US to get lost.)
"Not being an empire, China won't be easily irritated or flex its military muscle at will," says the op-ed. However, it has its principles."
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