South China Sea: Beijing poised for ‘long game’ with Manila over shoal dispute to avoid drawing in US, analysts say
- Collisions between Chinese and Filipino vessels in South China Sea spark fears of wider crisis, with US underlining its pledge to defend Manila
- Observers say ‘avoiding an escalation’ will be Beijing’s priority, as it seeks to wear out Manila and eventually compel it to accept China’s terms
But they also expect China to play the long game, to wear out Manila as Beijing seeks to avoid a wider regional conflict that might draw in the US, a Philippine treaty ally.
Beijing has warned against escalations in the South China Sea, where a collision between Chinese and Philippine coastguard vessels has triggered fears that any misstep could spark a wider crisis.
China will “legitimately defend” its rights in the South China Sea, Foreign Minister Wang Yi told a press conference on the sidelines of the annual National People’s Congress legislative meetings on Thursday.
01:02
Beijing accuses Manila of deliberately ramming Chinese coastguard ship in disputed waters
“Abusing good faith should not be allowed. Distorting maritime laws cannot be accepted in the face of deliberate infringements,” he said.
