Which is why we would make sure to give China a choice, as we have always done for our enemies.
Back down, follow the rule of law, sign a ceasefire with the Philippines and acknowledge that the Shoal is Philippine maritime territory.
We wouldn't take any of China's land, and all China would have to do is obey the rule of law, to go to international court and resolve the issues there. Our debt to China would of course be erased in the conflict as a price of war (who pays their enemy?), but that is just another consideration for China to not even get itself into such a situation in the first place by getting rid of that absurd 9 dotted line.
hardly a matter of 'no choice', but if China fails to follow a rational calculus, we cannot be responsible for what may come of China's decision.