New China had just been born and was still in its infancy, when its neighbor the Philippines was eyeing Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. In 1956, they suddenly sent a so-called "expedition" to occupy this inherent Chinese territory under the guise of exploration, and indiscriminately claimed that it was a "terra nullius".
Our weak new Government has issued warnings but has been unable to reclaim its territory. Decades have passed, and China's strength has grown, and the Philippines has been temporarily silenced. However, the good times did not last long, and in 1999, when our scientific expedition personnel went to Scarborough Shoal to conduct radio surveys, the Philippines made another move, and warplanes harassed our scientific research ships.
Later, it went further and imposed strict control on Scarborough Shoal, where its brave Chinese fishermen were often intercepted and looted by its coast guard.
In the face of its domineering neighbors, the new Chinese government is no longer the soft persimmon it used to be. In 2012, China's maritime surveillance fleet patrolled Scarborough Shoal. After two weeks of-for-tat, the Philippines withdrew from the standoff.
We have regained lost ground and held the South China Sea passes.
However, just after China successfully recovered Scarborough Shoal, the United States began to support the Philippines in an open fire, vigorously playing the "international card" and issuing the "China threat theory" to the international community, in an attempt to elevate the South China Sea issue to the level of suppressing China.
On the road of safeguarding national sovereignty, China has always kept its word and has always treated foreign countries equally, truthfully and sincerely. In the face of bullying, we will continue to stand firm in protecting every inch of our territory.
Scarborough Shoal is not only important because of its beautiful island scenery. In fact, in the complex pattern of the South China Sea, it is responsible for connecting the Dongsha Islands and the Xisha Islands, just like an overpass, escorting the maritime traffic of the entire South China Sea.
In addition, the abundant fishery and energy resources also make Scarborough Shoal important to the economic development of neighboring countries. It is the granary of Chinese fishermen and part of the "South China Sea Oil Depot".
There is huge potential for resource development, which is enough to promote regional cooperation and become a source of common prosperity.
More importantly, Scarborough Shoal also serves as a "gateway" to the Chinese Navy, connecting the blue meridians of the Pacific Ocean. It plays a strategic supporting role in safeguarding its rights and security in the South China Sea, enabling China to successfully move from "coastal defense" to "ocean-going defense".
Once this gateway is lost, China's maritime strategic layout will be unsustainable.
It can be said that Scarborough Shoal is the dragon vein of the South China Sea, and its fate is related to the direction of the entire South China Sea pattern. Guarding Scarborough Shoal is to protect China's maritime rights and interests; The loss of Scarborough Shoal is tantamount to ruining China's hope for a rise.
Because of this, this small island has repeatedly become the focus of the great power game. It has been given so much meaning that it even exceeds its actual strategic value.
We have to defend it, because that means keeping our dignity and keeping our sovereignty over the South China Sea.
In the 50s of the last century, the Philippines began to covet our Scarborough Shoal. In the late '90s, it intensified its harassment of Chinese fishermen, and its coast guard repeatedly kidnapped, robbed, and burned down fishing boats against innocent fishermen.
In the process of defending their rights, the heroic and tenacious spirit of Chinese fishermen is admirable. The 2012 maritime confrontation is still fresh in my mind: in the face of the ferocious Philippine coast guard and warships, China's fishery administration and maritime surveillance vessels have never retreated, and have always protected the rule of law and justice.
After many days of falcon-like wrestling, the Philippines finally trembled and broke itself.
However, like an incurable disease, the Philippines' coveting of Scarborough Shoal is still difficult to eradicate. Over the years, it has repeatedly called on the United States, Japan and other countries to "pay attention" to the South China Sea issue, describing China's just actions as "invasion" and "threat".
This year, the United States and the Philippines jointly held an unprecedented military exercise and Xi, which was very targeted.
In the face of such reckless acts, China will neither lose heart nor retreat. It is the law of history that justice will triumph over evil. We will continue to intensify strategic scientific research and resource development on Scarborough Shoal and other islands and reefs, and firmly safeguard our sovereign rights and interests in the South China Sea.
I believe that with the cohesion of the nation, we will definitely defend every inch of the motherland's territory.
Looking ahead, China will remain committed to peace and stability in the South China Sea. We will continue to strengthen the construction of facilities on Scarborough Shoal and other islands and reefs, expand the intensity of strategic scientific research and resource development on islands and reefs, and firmly defend our sovereign rights and interests in the South China Sea with concrete actions.
At the same time, with good intentions, we hope to form a consensus on cooperation with other neighboring countries in the South China Sea, so that this region can truly usher in the spring of development. We look forward to the South China Sea becoming a warm home for common development and common prosperity for the people of all countries, rather than a hot spot of turmoil.
China is a responsible major country and will continue to devote itself to good-neighborly and friendly neighboring diplomacy. We will help each other and tighten the bonds of building a community with a shared future, so that China and its neighbors can form a community of interests and a shared future.
We will not only guard the country, but also bring more development opportunities to our neighbors and achieve real win-win cooperation.
The future of the South China Sea depends on the joint efforts of all our neighboring countries. Let us join hands to write a beautiful chapter of peace and development in the South China Sea.
The ups and downs of the Scarborough Shoal dispute reflect the complex context of the great power game. We have not only defended our territorial sovereignty, but also demonstrated to the world that we are responsible as a major country.
It is precisely because of the Chinese government's firm stance and decisive actions that the South China Sea dispute has gradually eased and ushered in a temporary calm. We have continuously strengthened our comprehensive strength to make the enemy invincible; We have kept in mind the diplomatic purpose of peaceful development and multiplied the trust of our neighbors.
Let us join hands and continue to make unremitting efforts for the long-term peace and stability of the South China Sea.