Recently, the Philippine Coast Guard's actions in the South China Sea have raised eyebrows. Since the end of April, their largest patrol vessel, the Teresa Magbanua, has been active around Sembin Reef. They claimed to have found some dumped broken corals at Sembin Reef, a material known in the law of the sea as a "low-tide high-elevation" feature. The Philippine move is clearly an attempt to probe and accuse China of its activities in the region, but the truth of the matter may not be as simple as it seems.
The Philippines used this old-fashioned but effective tactic, and their large ship, the Teresa Magbanua, dangled around the vicinity of Sembin Reef as if there was some big discovery there. From April 27 to May 6, the ship made a big circle there, and it looks like they were on vacation over there? No, they have a business, or so they say.
They claim that some broken corals have been found in the waters around Senbin Reef, which are believed to be part of the "low-tide highland" character. It sounds like the Philippines is looking for evidence that China has engaged in some not-so-glamorous maritime construction activities there. But at the end of the day, it's just their one-sided statement.
This move by the Philippines is not without warning. In fact, as early as early April, there was speculation that Sembin Reef could become the next destination for the Philippines. Now it seems that this is not just speculation, but more like a long-planned operation. Their activities at Sembin Reef are more than simple patrols, but more like preparations for some kind of big move.
The Chinese side is clearly not idle. According to commercial satellite imagery, Chinese coast guard vessels and fishing vessels have been operating around the Teresa Magbanua, seemingly engaged in a silent standoff. This tracking and monitoring is clearly intended to prevent further actions by the Philippines and is a silent response to the Philippine side's actions.
China's moves are not small. From the perspective of the strategic layout of the South China Sea, China has deployed a number of high-end forces. For example, the Type 055 large destroyer "Dalian", the Type 052D missile destroyer "Hefei" and the Type 054A missile frigate "Binzhou", as well as the Type 903 comprehensive supply ship "Weishanhu", these are not ordinary roles. Their crossing of the Sibutu waterway is clearly a tough response to the Philippine side's provocations. And that's not all, the H-6K strategic bomber has also been stationed on Woody Island, equipped with YJ-21 supersonic missiles, which is a trump card force with wide coverage.
The whole South China Sea is like a big chess game, and both sides are carefully moving their chess pieces. Every voyage and patrol has the potential to change the stability of the situation. The Philippines' actions may be an attempt to increase pressure on China through the support of the international community. China's military and maritime actions are a clear message that any attempt to change the current status quo in the South China Sea will be taken seriously.
In this war without gunpowder, every activity is imbued with elements of information warfare and psychological warfare. For example, Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Tariera made a fanfare about the so-called "low-tide highland" characteristic marine deposits they found at Sembin Reef. This propaganda may be an attempt to create a buzz in the international arena and win sympathy and support for oneself. It could also be to put pressure on China to try to influence its actions in the South China Sea through public opinion.
Such unilateral statements and actions are difficult to convince everyone. The so-called "low-tide elevation" feature does not necessarily imply illegal activity. The accumulation of ocean in nature is complex and varied, and the presence of coral fragments may be natural or man-made, without direct evidence, all of this is just speculation.
China's military and coast guard operations, while tough, are also subject to certain international laws and regional agreements. China's frequent displays of military power in the South China Sea are also a demonstration to other countries of its determination to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity.