Chinese media's pro-war reports 'regrettable' -expert

MANILA, Philippines - An emeritus professor of Southeast Asian studies believes the Chinese media are doing more harm than good to their country in producing "conflict scenario" news reports and commentary.

Carlyle Thayer, an emeritus professor from the University of New South Wales-Canberra, said that the "hawkish" views that some Chinese journalistic outfits highlight are hurting China's reputation as a rising global power.

"It is regrettable that Qianzhan’s conflict scenario, like so much commentary churned out by retired Chinese military officers and ultranationalists, does not go beyond the bravado of acclaiming a swift Chinese victory to consider the costs of such action to China’s international standing, damage to its economy, and the risks of escalating military conflict," Thayer wrote Thursday on The Diplomat.

Thayer was referring to reports of Chinese news outfit Qianzhan last week that Chinese military are preparing to seize the Philippines' Pag-Asa Island -- a move which Thayer called plausible but wrong.

Read: Reports: China plans to seize Pag-asa Island this year

Thayer said that other Chinese media are in support of the Asian giant's peaceful positioning in the global stage and highlight Chinese President Xi Jinping's agenda of "friendship and cooperation with its Southeast Asian neighbors.

"These writers and analysts should criticize the hawkish views by retired military commentators and ultranationalist writers for being counterproductive to China’s longer-term interests," he said.

While Qianzhan's reports were belied by other Chinese media, Thayer said that it may still happen that China suddenly decides to invade a neighbor.

"China could easily achieve strategic surprise and seize Pag-asa Island. China could disguise an invasion force as a flotilla engaged in routine naval exercises in the South China Sea," Thayer said.

Before the act of war happens, however, there would be indications gleaned from worsening relations between China and the Philippines and crumbling regional security, he said.

"These developments might signal a change in China’s intent. This would normally trigger a closer look at Chinese naval and air activities by U.S. intelligence," Thayer said, adding that the island, the second largest in Spratlys, will be taken in a few hours.

Thayer said that the Philippine military would be outgunned and Manila would consult the United States in fulfillment of the joint defense treaty.

The professor said that such an act of violence over Pag-Asa Island where some 200 Filipinos are living would be a "tragic mistake" for China.

"The political fallout from seizing Pag-asa would be a huge set back for Chinese diplomacy. ASEAN would likely adopt an uncompromising political position and demand the immediate withdrawal of Chinese forces," he explained.