China‘s top diplomat said yesterday that the nation would not tolerate bullying by smaller countries, “for instance, the Philippines“.

The remarks by State Councillor Dai Bingguo came ahead of today’s start to a 2-1/2-month fishing ban by China in the South China Sea, including the waters surrounding the disputed Scarborough Shoal.

At a meeting of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Dai said that, given China’s size and high-speed development, the country must remain humble and not make other countries feel threatened, the China Daily reported online yesterday.

But Dai said that being humble and vigilant are not the same as being weak. “Smaller countries should not bully larger countries, for instance, the Philippines,” Dai was quoted.

The two countries have been in a stand-off over the Scarborough Shoal since April 10, when Philippine authorities accused Chinese boats of illegal fishing.

But…