The ‘Chinese way’ is China’s own downfall

Firing water cannons, installing naval barricades, ramming fishing vessels, blinding with laser guns, hit-and-run operations – these are just some of the many tactics utilized by the Chinese government to intimidate us.

Political analysts refer to these as “gray zone tactics” or coercive actions that are shy of armed conflict but go beyond normal diplomatic, economic and defensive acts. They are designed to coerce, disrespect and cause damage to the opposing party without being considered an outright act of war. Gray zone tactics come with the threat of severe retribution should those in the receiving end retaliate. It is the most insidious type of bullying.

Gray zone tactics are among China’s many ways of advancing its hegemonic agenda in the Indo-Pacific. They go hand in hand with other devious practices, not the least of which are the outright disrespect of global treaties, accords, rules and laws; the use of economic aggression; ignoring diplomatic protests; bribing leaders of developing nations and leading them to debt traps.

This is the Chinese way. It is the reason why China is among the two most distrusted countries in the world (along with Russia), according to the Lowly Institute. It is also why it is considered by many governments as a pariah state.

The Philippines has been on the receiving end of China’s gray zone tactics. But we are not alone. China is picking fights with at least a dozen countries simultaneously. Countries that oppose the Chinese Communist Party’s views and its delusional entitlement to global domination stand to suffer the same brunt of bullying. Let me cite a few recent examples.

Despite declaring enduring friendship and unwavering support for President Vladimir Putin and the Russian people, the Chinese Ministry of Natural Resources released an updated version of the Chinese map, which includes the Bolshoi Ussuriysky islands as part of Chinese territory. China also claims the important Pacific city of Vladivostok as its own. China presses on with its claims despite the territorial dispute being settled 15 years ago through bilateral agreements. Talk about stabbing a friend in the back.

China betrays and embarrasses India, its