It’s not sovereignty over the South China Sea (SCS) and the Spratlys, or any expanses of water or bits of rock and reef it wants to wangle from President Rodrigo Duterte. The Chinese know that, like them, no nation ever gives up air, water or land without a fight. And if a leader is dumb enough to actually sign away territory and patrimony, he wouldn’t stay in power long enough to make good on the deal. What’s worse, the country that got duped into letting go of its real estate would only get deeper into Washington’s embrace, to get back what it foolishly gave up, or at least to get even with Beijing.

Saludo, R. (2016, October 18). What Duterte must get from China. The Manila Times. pp. A1, A5.