The Philippines is not backing off the South China Sea and has criticized China for staking claim to places and threatening aircraft and ships passing though those spaces. In an article today, Reuters quoting a Chinese representative, indicating "China urges the relevant party to meet China halfway, and jointly protect the present good situation that has not come easily in the South China Sea." No kidding.
The UN already ruled on this issue and the Philippines started that complaint. By the UN's reckoning the Chinese have no right to those islands, and building them is an offence to the rights of the Philippines in international trade. There is no middle way, and whether it is a good thing or not depends on where you sit. The US and Philippines don't think it is such a good thing. China has raised the stakes every year by militarizing the islands after saying they wouldn't. Now they give the US reason to believe they may be practicing attacking US ships and other targets. They are raising the stakes again. China bought off the Philippines President for several years, but that good will is slowly running out, as is the largess.
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