There are many ways to skin a cat, as the gory saying goes, but lest we get into an argument with lovers of these feline creatures, the term came to mind after news of China’s latest tactic on the disputed water off our islands came out in the news.

In this case, the cat refers to the ongoing maritime disputes still heating up in our region, and the skinning part has to do with how the aggressor seems to be getting its way after all.

An online report in another news site says, “Photos and videos released by the Philippine Coast Guard on Sunday, 3 December, show several groups of Chinese Maritime Militia ships moored beside each other — a move analysts refer to as ‘rafting’ or when vessels anchor together to create a temporary floating outpost out at sea.”

Now, the next line is troubling: “It’s considered among the ‘gray zone tactics,’ or actions SHORT OF ARMED CONFLICT [emphasis by the author], that China employs in attempting to dominate in the South China Sea.”

With wars currently ongoing elsewhere in the world, the idea of conflict escalating on this side of the planet is unwelcome, to say the least.

Yet, despite repeated efforts to settle the matter amicably — in the strongest possible terms and with the backing of international bodies — China continues to conduct illegal, unwarranted activities in our economic zone.

The message it sends is clear, and the “swarm” of 135 boats it recently sent in disputed waters is an undeniable provocation.

Even more telling to this observer, at least, is the direct accusation China made against the United States.

For allegedly venturing near the waters of the Second Thomas Shoal, also called Ayungin Shoal in the Philippines, China released a statement saying the US was “seriously [violating] China’s sovereignty and security … [undermining] regional peace and stability, and … [of violating] international law and basic norms governing international relations,” a report in a foreign publication says.

Ayungin, situated about 195km (121 miles) northwest of Palawan, witnessed the recent resupply kerfuffle with Chinese vessels aiming water cannons at our ship.

China should listen to itself and reflect on the same words its neighbors have expressed about its actions in the disputed waters — and theirs is not even about “venturing near,” but building infrastructure and sending a “swarm!”

For its part, the US military, in response, said its USS Gabrielle Giffords “was conducting routine operations in international waters … consistent with international law”.

China has been quite forceful in its ways — while, in response, we have opted to take the diplomatic route. Yet while President Bongbong Marcos Jr. and President Joe Biden smile for cameras with President Xi Jin Ping, the Philippine Coast Guard continues to do its best to patrol our waters and more than occasionally encounter efforts “to impede the Philippine resupply of its contingent of troops stationed aboard the Sierra Madre” and “(block) Filipino fishermen from entering the fish-rich lagoon of Scarborough Shoal,” among others.

China refuses to heed international law, yet it has the gall to accuse the US of the same. The implications are nothing short of horrifying.