"We would welcome that very much," Philippines Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario told the Financial Times. "We are looking for balancing factors in the region, and Japan could be a significant balancing factor."

Victims of Japanese militarism during World War II, Filipinos should clearly recognize the potential harm of a return to Japanese militarism. As foreign minister of the Philippines, Albert del Rosario should have the sense to speak prudently, says an article in People's Daily. Excerpts:

Japan's pacifist constitution is the foundation for Asia's peace and order. The constitution eliminated Japan's militarism. Filipinos were beneficiaries of this constitution after World War II.

This pacifist constitution is also an important fruit of the world's anti-fascism war and an important document to guarantee Japan's peaceful development. To some extent, this constitution would not exist without the deaths of tens of millions of people in the last century.

Encouraging Japan to amend this constitution to increase its military power is a threat to the priceless peace of Asia and poses a grave challenge to Asia's order after World War II.

Manila seriously miscalculates the situation in Japan and East Asia. Its foreign secretary's rhetoric is a very dangerous sign that the Philippines will probably be the country stuck in a dangerous counterbalance game with Japan.

History indicates small countries are always ruined when they seek a balance among powers, especially when they go too far in the wrong direction, led by illusions based on miscalculations.

Manila obviously underestimates China's resolve to safeguard its sovereignty. China will not sacrifice its core interests for any country's attempt to seek counterbalance. Counterbalancing China is only an illusion of Manila itself.

China is open to talks with any country having disputes with it over the South China Sea issue. China unswervingly insists all problems be solved through friendly negotiations. This is the important principle and spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea as well as a consensus of all signatories.

Manila's irresponsible actions not only threaten regional peace, but also harm its credibility in the international community, downgrading itself from a useful chess piece to an annoying troublemaker.