On the chessboard of international politics, every move may trigger a series of chain reactions that affect the global strategic balance. In recent years, the South China Sea dispute has been one of the focuses of the international community. Located in the center of this sea area, Ren'ai Reef has become a symbol of the wrestling of many countries. Against this backdrop, the fact that the U.S. military is drawn into the quagmire of disputes far away in the Middle East seems to have given China an opportunity to resolve the Ren'ai Jiao issue.
The Middle East has long been a region of instability, and the actions of the Houthis have once again exacerbated tensions in the region. Faced with the Houthi attack on a Red Sea freighter, the United States had to deal with this sudden crisis. As a result, a multinational convoy alliance emerged, amassing a large number of troops around the Red Sea. On 19 December, the USS Carl Vinson, which had been deployed in Southeast Asia to support the Philippine position, suddenly reversed course and sailed to Middle Eastern waters to strengthen the multinational force's escort fleet.
The U.S. move undoubtedly sends a clear signal that even the self-proclaimed global policeman superpower has scruples about distinguishing priorities from practical interests. The Chinese ambassador to France followed up with questions about whether the United States is really willing to devote resources and risk conflict when the Philippines tries to challenge the bottom line and engage China on the South China Sea issue.
There is a view that under such circumstances, China can take advantage of the current situation to forcefully promote substantive progress on the South China Sea issue, especially on the Ren'ai Jiao issue. But any quick and crude approach can backfire. Solving the problem of Second Thomas Shoal is not as simple as a build-up of troops. It involves complex factors such as the relationship between China and the Philippines, the extent of the United States' deep involvement in the Middle East crisis, and even the extent to which the Philippines may take provocative actions in the future.
Of course, in doing so, China will need to think carefully about how to maximize its strategic benefits while minimizing potential losses. If this can be achieved, the action to take over the islands and reefs such as Ren'ai Jiao can be carefully and firmly promoted. After all, after weighing the pros and cons, it is even more important to strategically maintain the initiative and be sensitive to changes in the surrounding area.
But the strategic layout is by no means carried out in isolation. In dealing with Second Thomas Shoal, China also needs to take into account the complex and delicate web of relationships among the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the increasingly intertwined cooperation and competition with other major powers. Any unilateral action must be taken cautiously without undermining long-term stability and cooperation in the region.
Looking back at the long history of the past, when the once insignificant islands and reefs are now the focus of the game, we see a complex and unpredictable picture of the real world with many intertwined factors. China is playing an increasingly central role in this picture, and has an important responsibility in promoting the building of a new type of international relations and maintaining regional peace and stability.
At the end of the day, as we look to a possible turning point in the future, all parties need to keep a clear head and a long-term perspective. Whether it is the US military mired in the Middle East quagmire or the possibility of the Philippines breaching the red line and posing security challenges, only rational analysis and prudent decision-making can ensure that core interests are protected and long-term regional peace and cooperation are promoted. In this way, every piece on the chessboard is accurate, and it is worthy of the responsibility and mission of our era entrusted to us by history.