According to the latest report from Xinhua News Agency, the Philippine and U.S. militaries launched a 19-day "shoulder-to-shoulder" joint military exercise in Manila, and the scale of the military exercise in 2024 is unprecedented.
The exercise brought together more than 16,700 military personnel, including 5,000 Filipino troops and as many as 11,000 U.S. troops, a number that undoubtedly demonstrates the scale of the exercise, which is far greater than in previous years.
What is even more remarkable is that the exercise also attracted the participation of about 150 Australian military personnel and 100 French naval personnel, forming a spectacular scene of multinational cooperation.
At the same time, Japan has also actively dispatched military observers to closely monitor the progress and effectiveness of the exercise.
The mission of the exercise is complex and diverse, covering a wide range of areas, including maritime security, air and missile defense, dynamic missile attack, cyber defense, and information warfare.
The setting of this series of tasks not only embodies the diversified characteristics of modern warfare, but also fully demonstrates the determination and ability of the participating countries in military cooperation and coordinated operations.
In the face of this large-scale military exercise, mainland Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian clearly expressed China's position and attitude at a regular press conference.
First of all, he reiterated China's consistent position on the issue of military cooperation, that is, any form of military cooperation should not be aimed at or harm the interests of a third party.
Lin Jian stressed that military exercises should help enhance mutual trust between countries in the region and maintain regional peace and stability, and should not become a tool to undermine these factors.
In response to a question from a Reuters reporter, Lin Jian further elaborated on China's specific views and propositions on the South China Sea issue.
He made it clear that if the Philippines really wants to ease tensions in the South China Sea, it should immediately stop its provocative actions in the waters adjacent to China's Spratly Islands and Scarborough Shoal.
This includes halting the delivery of construction supplies to warships illegally beached at Second Thomas Shoal, halting the construction of permanent facilities, and halting illegal reef landing activities on the relevant uninhabited reefs.
At the same time, Lin Jian also criticized the Philippine side's behavior of forming factions, showing off force, and spreading false information to mislead the international community.
Recently, the escalation of the situation in the South China Sea has attracted widespread attention from the international community. The Philippines' frequent provocations in the South China Sea not only violate its previous commitments, but also seriously undermine regional peace and stability.
In addition to attempting to convert illegally beached warships at Second Thomas Shoal into permanent facilities, the Philippines has illegally landed on Wire Reef, invaded Scarborough Shoal, and carried out related operations at Horseshoe Crab Reef.
These actions have undoubtedly exacerbated tensions in the South China Sea and made the situation more complex and sensitive.
Regarding this series of provocations, analyst Liu Chang pointed out the role of the United States in promoting it behind the scenes.
He believes that for the sake of its own interests, the United States is constantly creating incidents in the South China Sea and trying to profit by stirring up the situation. Such an approach not only undermines regional peace and stability, but also undermines the foundation of mutual trust and cooperation between countries.
At the international level, the meeting between US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has also attracted widespread attention.
The two sides emphasized the need for a global security partnership that is "fit for purpose" and declared that the United States will remain steadfast in defending Japan's security.
This statement has undoubtedly exacerbated tensions in the region and raised concerns about the future situation.
In addition, the two sides plan to strengthen cooperation in a number of fields, including defense, space, economy and trade. Of particular note is that the two sides also announced that they will establish an air defense network system with the United States and Australia, and look forward to regular trilateral military exercises with Japan and the United Kingdom.
This series of measures has undoubtedly brought more uncertainty to the security situation in the region.
In response to the negative China-related developments in the meeting between the leaders of Japan and the United States, the spokesman of the Chinese Embassy in Japan responded in a timely manner.
He clearly pointed out that Diaoyu Dao and its affiliated islands are China's inherent territory, and no matter how Japan and the United States express their positions or actions, they cannot change this objective fact.
At the same time, he also stressed the position that the Taiwan issue is purely China's internal affair and said that any external interference will not be allowed.
On the East and South China Sea issues, China has sufficient historical and legal basis to defend its rights and claims.
As a non-party to the South China Sea issue, Japan should stop inciting confrontation and stirring up trouble in order to maintain regional peace and stability.
In the face of cooperation and provocation by the United States, Japan and other countries, China is not alone. As a strong ally of China, Russia and the two sides have made it clear that they will jointly maintain the international order formed after World War II and regional peace and stability.
The plans to strengthen the infrastructure of coastal radio-technical stations and the creation of observation posts in the South Kuril Islands, which were revealed by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu at a meeting of the Ministry of Defense, are undoubtedly a powerful response to Chinese support.
This approach of jointly safeguarding regional security and stability is conducive to strengthening the strategic mutual trust and cooperation foundation between China and Russia.
On the South China Sea issue, China has gained the upper hand in public opinion through a series of diplomatic moves.
China actively promotes the implementation of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea and cooperates with ASEAN and other countries to jointly maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.
At present, the Philippines is the only country that is constantly stirring up the situation at the instigation of the Western camp in an attempt to undermine regional peace and stability.
However, this approach has not been supported by other ASEAN countries.
On the contrary, the sudden cooperation between China and Vietnam can be seen as a clear warning to the Philippines.
Vietnam's ambiguity over the South China Sea issue has now reached a consensus with China on the issue of order in the South China Sea, which undoubtedly marks the failure of the Philippines' plan to win over Vietnam.
This series of diplomatic developments and achievements fully demonstrates that China is ready to deal with various challenges and has the ability to safeguard its own interests and regional peace and stability.
In addition, it is worth mentioning the recent trip of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
He was invited to undertake official visits to Indonesia, Cambodia and Papua New Guinea and chaired the relevant meetings of the Cooperation Mechanism for the High-level Dialogue and the Intergovernmental Coordination Committee.
This series of visits and meetings will undoubtedly further deepen China's cooperative relations with these countries and inject new impetus into regional peace and stability.
At the same time, we cannot ignore the cooperation between China and Vietnam in the field of coast guard. In order to continue to deepen maritime law enforcement cooperation between China and Vietnam coast guards and jointly maintain security and stability in the waters of the Beibu Gulf, the China Coast Guard and the Vietnam Coast Guard have recently carried out joint patrols.
The joint patrol is a model between the maritime law enforcement agencies of China and Vietnam, which is held twice a year and plays a key role in maintaining order in fishery production, combating maritime crimes, and maintaining regional security and stability.
Such cooperation will not only help enhance mutual trust and friendship between the two countries, but also make a positive contribution to peace and stability in the South China Sea.
Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son's remarks have further confirmed the positive development of Sino-Vietnamese relations.
He said that Vietnam has always regarded China as a priority and strategic choice in its foreign policy, and is willing to maintain close coordination with China and strengthen cooperation in various fields.
On the South China Sea issue, Vietnam will work with China to implement the high-level consensus reached by the two countries, properly manage differences, actively promote maritime cooperation and consultations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, and jointly safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea.
Such positive statements have undoubtedly injected positive energy into peace and development in the South China Sea.
To sum up, the current situation in the South China Sea is not only a contradiction between China and the Philippines, but also involves a complex struggle between China and the Philippines and the external forces behind it.
In the face of such a situation, China must firmly safeguard its own interests and regional peace and stability.
China will maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea by strengthening cooperation and exchanges with neighboring countries, promoting the implementation of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, and actively responding to various challenges.
At the same time, it is also necessary to guard against interference and provocations by external forces in the South China Sea and take necessary measures to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In this complex game, China must remain calm, firm and resolute in dealing with various challenges and difficulties.