As soon as the Chinese side put down its harsh words to Marcos Jr., the United States and the Philippines made trouble at China's doorstep, and the artillery was directly aimed at the "Made in China" supply ship. Is the United States and the Philippines going to break their promises and tear up their faces with China? Is this trying to be beaten?
1. The U.S.-Philippines "shoulder to shoulder" joint military exercise
In an interview with reporters, the Philippine side said that the United States and the Philippines jointly held a "shoulder-to-shoulder" military exercise, and stressed that the military exercise will create many "firsts", including the largest number of people in the past year.
The total number of participants in the exercise will exceed last year's 16,000, including not only 11,000 U.S. troops and 5,000 Filipino soldiers, but even armed forces from France and Australia.
And the many choices of this military exercise confirm that the United States and the Philippines are attacking China.
(The number of US-Philippine joint military exercises hits a record high)
First, the choice of the location of the military exercise.
For the first time, the U.S.-Philippines military exercise was held in waters 12 nautical miles away from the Philippines. And this location is only less than 200 nautical miles from Taiwan Island.
The reason why the United States and the Philippines chose the waters next to Taiwan and the Philippines is because Taiwan and the South China Sea are both vital regions for China.
Obviously, the United States and the Philippines are flexing their muscles against China.
Second, the selection of targets.
The target of the US and Philippine strikes this time is the Philippine Navy's decommissioned supply ship "Lake Calilaya".
It is worth noting that this supply ship is the only Chinese-built civilian oil tanker owned by the Philippines.
Although the Philippines stressed that this is not aimed at China, it is an unintentional move.
But it obviously has the implication that there are no three hundred taels of silver here.
(Meifei takes "Made in China" to sprinkle gas)
Third, the setting background of the military exercise.
The U.S.-Philippine exercise simulated the recapture of islands occupied by hostile forces.
As far as the Philippines has repeatedly forcibly intruded into the waters of Ren'ai Jiao in a vain attempt to forcibly occupy some islands in the South China Sea, it is clear that the imaginary enemy of the US-Philippine exercise is China.
The U.S.-Philippines exercise is clearly aimed at China's threatening military operations.
2. The U.S. Secretary of Defense made a commitment to China
Earlier, the Chinese side finally relented and decided to resume military phone calls with the American side.
Defense Secretary Dong Jun picked up a video call with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin late at night.
The two defense ministers had in-depth discussions on the current international situation and a number of pressing issues, and put forward their views on issues such as the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea.
The U.S. has been looking forward to a phone call with the Chinese military and has also told the Chinese side about the South China Sea that the U.S. does not want a military conflict with the Chinese side.
This is not only a "stone-throwing for directions" to China's red line, but also a knock on Marcos Jr.
Although the US side did send a signal of goodwill in the phone call, its essence has not changed.
Not only do they distort China's "one-China principle" and try to find excuses for their interference in China's internal affairs.
It also made an unreasonable demand to the Chinese side: the US ship will conduct freedom of navigation in the waters permitted by international law.
(The United States does not want to engage in a military conflict with China over the South China Sea)
This is undoubtedly paving the way for its show of force.
Obviously, the Chinese side will never nod.
3. China issued an ultimatum to the Philippines
Although the Chinese side has repeatedly stressed that the Nansha Islands have been China's territory since ancient times, the Philippines still tries to forcibly occupy these waters.
Since Marcos Jr. took office, U.S.-Philippine military cooperation has been further strengthened, and the situation in the South China Sea has become more and more serious.
According to Foreign Minister Wang Yi, China-Philippines relations have reached a "crossroads".
As a representative of the "pro-US and anti-China" people, Marcos Jr., out of national interests, has taken a two-way offensive against China.
First of all, Marcos Jr. has repeatedly sent fleets to forcibly enter the mainland's Ren'ai Jiao and other waters, and attempted to deliver repair materials to his stall ship.
This undoubtedly touched China's red line, and the PLA was the first to expel the Philippine boat.
Second, Marcos Jr. also used media hype and distorted facts in an attempt to win the sympathy of the international community.
(Philippine ships have repeatedly intruded into Chinese territory to carry out provocations)
In the face of Marcos Jr.'s constant provocations, China has also run out of patience, not only issuing a final warning to Marcos Jr., but also putting forward three demands on the South China Sea issue.
First, the Philippines is required to abide by its commitments and stop its provocative acts against China.
Second, the Philippine side is required to immediately tow away the stall ship and restore Ren'ai Jiao to its original appearance.
Third, when towing away the stall ship, the Philippine side needs to inform the Chinese side in advance and accept the Chinese side's inspection when it needs to resupply.
Obviously, out of the relationship between China and the Philippines, the Chinese side still showed mercy to Marcos Jr. and did not take a ruthless action against him.
(The Chinese side demanded that the Philippines be towed away immediately on the stall ship)
Fourth, there are shortcomings in US-Philippine relations
Although the U.S.-Philippines relationship has been further strengthened since Marcos Jr. took office, it does not mean that it is indestructible.
On the South China Sea issue, the United States has repeatedly stressed that it "stands with the Philippines," but it has never fulfilled its commitments, and has only blindly painted a big pie for Marcos Jr., signed blank checks to him, and instigated his military provocation against China.
While the Philippine ships were facing the blow of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) water cannons, the US ships were only watching the battle from a distance, unwilling to go directly to the battlefield and clash with the Chinese side.
Obviously, for the sake of its national interests, the United States has completely disregarded the security of the Philippines and even wants to fan the flames and encourage the Philippines to continue to stand on the front line of anti-China.
In the long run, the Philippines will undoubtedly see clearly its status as a "pawn" and recognize the true face of US aid, which will estranged US-Philippine relations.
(U.S.-Philippines relations are likely to be estranged)
Although the US has always regarded itself as a donor in the international community, it has actually held high the banner of "aid" to defend its hegemony out of consideration of its own national interests, and even interfered in the internal affairs of the recipient under the pretext of aid, which has seriously jeopardized the stability of world development.
The United States, on the other hand, will inevitably bring itself to the opposite side of the world and be isolated by the international community if it blindly engages in hegemony and bullying.