For years, the South China Sea was relatively calm. Conflicts over disputed waters occurred, but were largely outshone by regional cooperation.

The involuntary announcement last year of the US’ readiness to “broker talks” among the countries concerned tipped the regional balance off-kilter. The patience that Vietnam and the Philippines used to possess has been replaced by an impulse to act tough.

Now the US has vowed to take no side in an international dispute.

This might be part of what US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton described as “smart power,” with which the US appears to be reaching out to countries around the South China Sea, while in fact, it is masterminding discontent and resentment among them. The US looks to be the biggest winner from this discord.

Vietnam and the Philippines are clear that the US will be happy to see Southeast Asian countries join hands to form a wall to contain China. But the US will not bear the cost of building this wall – the “expenditure” would be too dear to justify US interests.

In the worst scenario, if a military conflict did occur in the South China Sea, it would be almost impossible for the US to step in and fight China for the two Southeast Asian countries.

It is a big mistake for any country to involve itself in the territorial conflicts of others.

The US may seek to create some trouble for China, but Sino-US relations outweigh this corner of the world.

US warships will not be willing to attack Chinese counterparts for a third country’s interest in the South China Sea or anywhere in the Western Pacific.

In the meantime, China will not give up its sovereign rights for the sake of Sino-US relations.

All countries around the South China Sea, including China, must keep calm. A war or a military threat is useless here.

No party will back down easily from their territorial claims.

However, China’s successful talks with Vietnam in the demarcation of Beibu Bay prove that talks are able to solve territorial issues.

China still insists on negotiating the South China Sea disputes. It should not anger easily at provocations by certain groups in neighboring countries.

But China will also stand strong in protecting its interests and principles.

This requires patience and time. If China cannot get along with its neighbors, how can it handle its progress on the world stage?