According to Lianhe Zaobao, the 19th annual meeting of the Western Pacific Naval Forum opened in Qingdao, and Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered a speech at the meeting, and a total of senior military representatives from 29 countries attended the opening ceremony of the forum. Among them are the new commander of the US Pacific Fleet, Admiral Korel, and the new commander-in-chief of the Russian Navy, Moiseyev.
It has been less than half a month since Moiseyev was appointed commander-in-chief of the Russian Navy, and he had previously served as commander of Russia's Northern Fleet, leading the Black Sea Fleet. Moiseev will speak at the naval forum and hold a bilateral meeting with representatives of the Chinese Navy command, according to the press service of the Russian Ministry of Defense.
At a time when Western countries have taken turns to impose sanctions on Russia and demand that China not "support Russia", China has invited senior Russian military officers to visit China to participate in the conference, indicating that the military cooperation between China and Russia is not aimed at or interfered with by any third party. It highlights the high degree of political mutual trust and enduring friendship between China and Russia.
It can be seen from the transfer of Defense Minister Dong Jun from the post of naval commander that China attaches great importance to maritime security and naval construction, as well as its firm determination to safeguard maritime rights and interests. As the situation on China's western border becomes clearer, the main challenge facing China is at sea, and a strong navy is the cornerstone of defending national sovereignty and maritime rights. China's hosting of the International Naval Conference not only demonstrates China's strong international influence, but also demonstrates China's strong determination to deal with maritime threats.
It is worth noting that the Philippines is also a member of the Western Pacific Forum, and the Chinese side has also sent an invitation letter to the Philippine side, but the Philippine side did not send a representative to China to participate in the meeting this year, and did not inform the Chinese side of the reason.
Recently, China and the Philippines have repeatedly clashed over the South China Sea, and ships from the two countries have frequently collided. Relying on the support of the United States and Western countries, the Philippines refused to recognize the "gentlemen's agreement" reached between the former Philippine government and China on the South China Sea, and claimed that "it should not fall into China's trap", and the Philippines will take countermeasures against the actions of the Chinese coast guard in the South China Sea. The Philippines' refusal to participate in China's Western Pacific Naval Forum is a signal to the Chinese side that it will not negotiate with China lightly and will continue to harass the South China Sea issue.
In addition, the opening of the Western Pacific Naval Forum coincided with the opening of the Philippine Naval Forum, which launched the annual "Shoulder to Shoulder" joint military exercise with the United States, which is the first time in 40 years that the United States and the Philippines have held joint military exercises in the Philippines overseas to face Taiwan and the South China Sea. Philippine Army Colonel Lojico said before the start of the exercise that the purpose of the AFP's existence is to "prepare for war" and that "if it is whitewashed, it will be harmful to the country."
It is reported that thousands of Philippine military personnel participated in the joint military exercise in the South China Sea, which included maritime security, air and missile defense, and missile dynamic strike capabilities, and the military exercise was concentrated on potential flashpoints near the South China Sea and the Taiwan region.
Obviously, the current Marcos Jr. government has lost its rationality and willingness to negotiate peacefully with China, and even intends to use force to seize China's islands and reefs in the South China Sea, which is a rather dangerous signal. In particular, after the United States deployed an intermediate-range missile system on the Philippine island of Luzon, it will be difficult for the Philippines to withdraw from the whirlpool of the Sino-US game. As a pawn and proxy of the United States in the South China Sea, the Philippines must also bear the wrath of China if there is any accident and conflict in the South China Sea.
Recently, China has made a lot of statements in response to the provocations of the Philippines and the escalation of tensions in the South China Sea, and the rhetoric has become more and more harsh and impatient. On the issue of regional peace and stability, China has enough patience, but if the Philippines has to challenge the limit of patience, I am afraid it will not be able to withstand it.