US Defense Secretary Chuk Hagal urged China to conform to international rules during his recent visit to Australia. But who is actually breaking the rules?

Let’s take a look at US conduct.

First, the US is backing the Japanese government’s proposal to end the ban on collective self-defense though Japan has a history of aggression and has still not recognized its previous war crimes. The ban has prevented the Japanese military from fighting overseas since World War Two. Even worse, the US now states that Diaoyu Islands is covered by the Japan-US Security Pact. Instead of forcing Japan to reflect on its war crimes, the US is helping Japan to become more aggressive.

Second, the US and Philippines have signed the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) to bolster the US-Philippines security relationship by allowing the United States to station troops and conduct operations on Philippine territory. Even some Philippine organizations believe that the agreement breaks the ban on foreign military bases in the Philippines that is stipulated in the Philippine constitution.

Third, on regional island disputes, the US repeatedly promises to keep neutral. But US officials continually break this promise. They ignore the provocations of Japan and Philippines against China and inveigh against China despite the fact that China is only trying to safeguard its legitimate rights.

The US has signed a 25-year military pact with Australia. It is clear that the US is strengthening relations with Japan and Australia as part of a strategic positioning. The move is obviously intended to interfere with China's progress.

Let’s look at what America's “friends” have done.

Japan has repeatedly sought to provoke China in order to further the new US strategy. In 2012, the Japanese government made an offer to “buy” the Diaoyu Islands. In recent years, Japan has sent its Air Self-Defense Force to harass China’s patrol aircraft and reconnaissance aircraft which were flying over sea areas under its jurisdiction completely in accordance with international law.

Neither do the Philippines conform to international rules. The baseline bill that brought some of China's islands and reefs in the South China Sea into Philippines' territorial waters was signed into law in 2009. In 2012 the Philippines sent a warship to arrest Chinese fishermen in Chinese waters. Such acts are beyond the tolerance of China.

In contrast, China abides by international rules and conventions in dealing with China South Sea Disputes. China proposes to resolve the disputes via friendly negotiation, contributing to regional peace. It is clear that it is the US rather than China that is breaking the international rules. China will not tolerate this reckless bullying. China will respond to provocation from other countries.

This article was edited and translated from 《到底是谁破坏了规矩》, source: People's Daily Overseas Edition, Author: Zhang Junshe