Crucial to see whole dynamic in S China Sea

In 1839, a Western hyper-power started a war from China’s south coast with the familiar refrain “freedom” — in that instance, to trade in narcotics.

The threat configuration, hitherto in the form of bow-armed horsemen from the steppes, changed completely.

After 176 years, Western power projection capability still threatens China’s coastal and sea lifelines, more vital to it than ever. With more in the kitty, China has seemingly taken a line from a Western song to “stand out to sea”.

There is little point in the regional states protesting if, on the other hand, they continue as in past decades to take no issue with the United States Navy using the same sea for activities aimed at China.

There is also not much point in holding up Pedra Branca as a shining example of territorial dispute resolution through the courts when states behave differently if vital security interests are affected (“China’s conduct is a threat to regional peace”; Dec 2).

Take, for example, the US’ refusal to ratify the Convention on the Law of the Sea.

There is no point in pretending that the geopolitics of the hyper-power now posturing as champion of the weak has not been part of the dynamic producing the current situation, or in focusing on part of that dynamic to blame any one player.

We live in interesting times owing to world developments and because our growth as a people is gauged by our responses.

Do we apply critical thinking to map out the dynamic for a full picture of a development?

Or do we think ourselves savvy as we form views from the selective, slanted offerings from the likes of Fox News, AFP and CNBC, to name a few?