«——【Preamble】】 ——»
The South China Sea, once a tranquil sea, has now become a stage for wrestling with various countries. With the joint military exercises of the United States, the Philippines and other countries in full swing in the South China Sea.
China has also shown no weakness and has defended its sovereignty and interests in the South China Sea with a firm attitude and actions. This battle without gunpowder smoke is being staged in this blue sea.
The South China Sea has a long history, but in recent years, the situation has become more complex and tense as neighboring countries are ready to move.
Some countries have sought to challenge China's dominance in the South China Sea with the help of external forces. The United States, on the other hand, is happy to act as the "world's policeman" and frequently intervenes in the South China Sea in an attempt to contain China's development.
«——[US-Philippine-France Joint Military Exercise]——»
In April 2024, a large-scale joint military exercise called "Shoulder to Shoulder 2024" was launched in the South China Sea.
This time, the military exercises led by the United States, with the Philippines as the main participating country and the French Navy also participated, undoubtedly made the already treacherous situation in the South China Sea even more confusing.
Shoulder-to-shoulder exercises have been held almost annually since 1991 to strengthen the ability of U.S. and Philippine militaries to work together.
In recent years, however, as China's influence in the South China Sea has grown, the exercise has increasingly become a vehicle for U.S. and Philippines demonstrations against China.
Before the 2024 "Shoulder to Shoulder" military exercise, more than 15,000 troops will participate in the exercise, and dozens of ships of various types and dozens of aircraft will be dispatched.
The United States dispatched a Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier strike group, and advanced weapons such as Aegis destroyers and attack nuclear submarines all appeared.
The Philippines has used its main warships, including the José Rizal-class frigate and the Gregorio del Pilar-class frigate.
It is worth noting that during this military exercise, the French Navy also sent the frigate "Portuguese Moon" to help. This is the second time that a French warship has appeared in the South China Sea after the visit of the "Portuguese Moon" in 2021.
As a long-established European maritime power, France's move undoubtedly sends a signal to the outside world that the South China Sea is not China's exclusive domain, and foreign powers also have the right to protect their interests here.
On the surface, the United States, the Philippines and France claimed that the exercise was aimed at improving humanitarian relief and counterterrorism capabilities. But observers familiar with the situation in the South China Sea know it.
The real purpose of this large-scale military exercise is to show China force and curb its activities in the South China Sea. The contents of the exercise subjects such as anti-ship, anti-submarine, and landing operations all pointed to the Chinese Navy.
The choice to hold military exercises in the waters near the Nansha Islands is even more blatant provocation. As we all know, the Spratly Islands are the focus of sovereignty disputes in the South China Sea.
Although China has indisputable sovereignty over it, countries such as the Philippines and Vietnam have illegal claims to some of the islands and reefs.
Although the United States claims that it "does not take a position" on the issue of sovereignty, it has supported the Philippines and Vietnam in disguise in its actions, and even sent warships to trespass 12 nautical miles of China's Nansha islands and reefs from time to time to carry out so-called "freedom of navigation operations".
On the Nansha issue this time, the Philippines obviously has the support of the United States and France, and has nothing to fear. Its naval commander even threatened to carry out joint patrols with US and French warships in the waters near Scarborough Shoal.
He also said that if China dares to "make trouble", it will definitely give a "head-on blow". Such remarks are tantamount to adding fuel to the fire and making the situation in the South China Sea even more tense.
«——【China's Tough Countermeasures·】——»
In the face of aggressive military provocations by the United States, the Philippines and France, China's countermeasures have not been weak at all, but have shown unprecedented toughness and determination.
Several PLA fleets quickly assembled and launched a series of targeted military operations in the South China Sea, demonstrating to the outside world their firm will to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The first to bear the brunt is the Type 054A missile frigate "Huangshan". This advanced warship, which is in service with the East China Sea Fleet, during the "Shoulder to Shoulder 2024" military exercise.
Sail directly into the US-Philippine-French joint fleet exercise area, and follow them on the sea only 6-9 nautical miles (about 11-16 kilometers) away from them, and conduct surveillance throughout the process.
With such close follow-up surveillance, the "Huangshan" ship's radar and electronic reconnaissance equipment are fully covered, and every move of the US-Philippine-French warship is fully visible, and its communication signals, electromagnetic spectrum, and other key information are also collected.
This bold move of the "Huangshan" was like a resounding slap in the face, and it slapped the United States, the Philippines, and France in the face. Echoing the "Huangshan" from afar, there are also the Type 815A electronic reconnaissance ship and the "Dianke No. 1" scientific research ship.
They also appeared near the exercise area, conducting electronic surveillance and intelligence gathering on the movements of the US-Philippine-French fleet. The Type 815A reconnaissance ship is equipped with a large dome-shaped radome and multiple shipborne radars, and has excellent electronic intelligence gathering capabilities.
As a scientific research ship, "Dianke No. 1" also bears a special mission. Although the official said that it was mainly engaged in marine survey work, it was widely believed by the outside world.
The ship is equipped with advanced hydrographic detection equipment, which can be used for anti-submarine and underwater surveillance. In the waters near Palawan, the distance between the two mysterious ships and the US and Philippine ships was once shortened to 2 nautical miles and about 3.7 kilometers, making the other party like a thorn in the back, but helpless.
«——【China's absolute superiority in the South China Sea】——»
Far from the sea area of the exercise, the figure of the Chinese Navy is equally eye-catching. The "Shen Kuo" scientific research ship appeared off the coast of Subic Bay in the Philippines to carry out marine scientific research missions.
Although the Philippine side called the "Shen Kuo" number many times and asked him to explain his identity and intentions, the other side always ignored him and continued to work at the door of the Philippines.
An important purpose of the Shen Kuo's trip was believed to be the collection of hydrogeological data on Subic Bay and its adjacent waters, which could be used for anti-submarine and anti-ship operations.
Knowing that US nuclear submarines often haunt Subic Bay, China sent the "Shen Kuo" to spy on the military situation, which can be described as well-intentioned.
The intensive activities of Chinese warships in the South China Sea are like an invisible monitoring net, controlling the military movements of the United States, the Philippines and France.
This is a concentrated manifestation of China's naval strength and a demonstration of China's determination to safeguard sovereignty in the South China Sea. Through these actions.
China is sending a clear signal to foreign powers that the South China Sea is not their "free paradise" and that any attempt to harm China's interests will pay a heavy price.
From a more macro perspective, China's military presence has become an unshakable anchor in the South China Sea. In recent years, with the continuous modernization of the PLA, China's military superiority in the South China Sea has become increasingly prominent.
On the one hand, China has a large number of strategic points such as Woody Island and Subi Reef, which has greatly enhanced China's air and maritime combat capabilities in the South China Sea.
On the other hand, from aircraft carrier formations to new destroyers to the latest submarines, the PLA's equipment has developed by leaps and bounds in a few years, and the combat radius covers the entire South China Sea.
«——【·Conclusion·】——»
Against this backdrop, China's tough countermeasures to the "Shoulder to Shoulder 2024" military exercise are by no means a simple-for-tat, but a kind of strategic deterrence.
Showing foreign powers that the South China Sea is China's core interest, and that there will be a price to pay for violating this red line. In the longer term, China's hardline stance in the South China Sea is laying the groundwork for long-term regional stability.
The current turbulence in the South China Sea is rooted in the power politics mentality of the United States and other foreign powers, which attempt to dominate the South China Sea with military superiority, which is completely contrary to the trend of the times.
As the largest littoral state in the South China Sea, China bears an unshirkable responsibility for peace and stability in the South China Sea. On the one hand, China is committed to resolving disputes by peaceful means. We will continue to resolve the South China Sea issue through negotiation and consultation.
"Shelving disputes and joint development" has always been China's consistent policy. On the other hand, China will not tolerate external forces stirring up trouble in the South China Sea and undermining regional peace. China will resolutely retaliate against those acts of bullying and wanton provocation.
Information sources:
U.S.-Philippine military relations escalate rapidly, experts warn: The United States wants the Philippines to play the role of a provocateur The Paper