China is alienating ASEAN nations by its hostility toward the Philippines in the Second Thomas Shoal. The United States should take advantage.

China rejected Japan’s concerns and accused Philippines of distorting facts and making a big fuss over incidents near Okinotori and Second Thomas Shoal.

Both nations have accused the other for instigating the incident at Second Thomas Shoal, which has overshadowed this week’s ASEAN meetings in Manila.