People’s Daily published a commentary on “the U.S. Navy Decatur destroyer’s unauthorized access to China’s Xisha territorial waters,” [the Paracel Islands] on October 21. The commentary said, “The U.S.’s frivolous action, which is driven by a hegemonic mentality, will not make its presence known in the Asia-Pacific region. Making trouble and creating conflict will only accelerate the decline of U.S. international influence.”

The article continued, “In violation of the coastal states’ sovereignty, security, and maritime rights and interests and saying it was done in the name of ‘freedom of navigation,’ the U.S.’s provocation has once again exposed the negative energy of the United States return to its Asia-Pacific strategy and highlighted the role it has played as ‘troublemaker’ on the South China Sea issue.”
“The so-called cruise operation of the United States coincided with Philippine President Duterte’s visit to China. Sino-Philippine relations had been fully restored and the two sides signed a series of cooperation agreements. As China’s relations with relevant countries improved and the new momentum of resolving the South China Sea issue steadily emerged, the United States sent warships to China’s territorial waters to stir up conflicts. This has exactly demonstrated how the United States has deliberately created and induced tension in the South China Sea for some time. The move clearly shows the United States does not want to see the South China Sea in peace and cannot tolerate stability in the region. If no one will help it make trouble, Washington will be anxious to jump out to make trouble by itself.”

Duterte’s speech in China will help people understand the United States and the complicated mentality behind its actions, “China has a very good relationship with us; the United States a little anxious.” In provoking conflict as a means to show its ruthlessness, it is only venting the depression it has in its heart and also the manifestation of its hegemonic habits. It is not known whether the United States itself has realized that it is this hegemonic inertia that is accelerating the decline of U.S. international influence and that it is getting more and more difficult for the United States to provide positive energy with public goods? Whether or not Washington has the courage to admit it, the era in which it could sit comfortably as the leader of its own camp has passed.”

“It’s not just a day or two since the United States dealt with China regarding the South China Sea. Washington, [please] don’t have any unrealistic fantasy. China’s will to safeguard state sovereignty and territorial integrity is rock-solid. … On the issue of peace and stability in the South China Sea, China will not let the United States behave wantonly.”

Source: People’s Daily, October 23, 2016
http://military.people.com.cn/n1/2016/1023/c1011-28800163.html