What he stated is the reality (although in a bad way).
Small (& weaker) nations located adjacent to powerful nation/s need to play the game smart to get the advantage. For example, Singapore leaders know how to get most from US and China without offending them.
Exactly, a lot of countries are in bad shape only have themselves to blame. Either their leaders are too incompetence or selfish or the citizen are too naive to believe they have the same luxury (compare to stronger nations) without doing all the 'hard' works to develop their nation to suit...
1. They put the oil rig there because they believe that area belong to them. Vietnam had response for the same reason. That's why i said this is sovereign issue, not freedom of navigation. You are an Asian living in western country, i think you know how sensationalism of various medias are.
2...
You seriously believe everyone will buy this excuse (freedom of navigation)?
It is just another political BS used by various parties.
The real issue is not the freedom of navigation but the sovereign of particular area. Everyone is just holding and strengthening the area they currently hold.
US is here to stay, China will increase their presence in the area.
No one really 'care' except Vietnam and Philippine for their own internal political consumption.