The War To Kill The South China Sea

     As nationalism and territorial claims gets played out in the South China Sea by China, the sea, wildlife and people are the loser. The more China dredges, develops and destroys the islands, cays, atolls and coral reefs of the sea, the more China harms itself. People cannot eat Chinese military bases, airstrips and other man-made structures on destroyed coral reefs, cays, atolls and islands.

      It is in the interest of every nation that relies upon the South China Sea not to walk away from this destruction. This does not mean going to war against China, a war that would certainly be lost. There are ways to fight battles without resorting to violence. China has close ties with the Philippines, including economic and diplomatic ties. So does the United States. There are ways to exert pressure without resorting to violence. China has extensive economic interests in the Philippines. It should not be business as usual as long as China is killing the South China Sea.

        In the years to come, as the oceans become more depleted of fish and other marine life, as the oceans became more polluted and contaminated from plastic and more, as coral reefs and sea grasses continue to decline, what is it people expect to eat? A healthy South China Sea has far more value than the depleted sea that China is creating. Millions of people rely upon the sea. Their future is being thrown away in exchange for a militarized sea that benefits not even China. China must be held accountable. The Philippines must not walk away. The future of millions of people, including millions of Filipinos and Chinese, is at stake.