On May 15, the Philippines organized hundreds of ships to try to force their way into Scarborough Shoal through "crowd tactics", and the Chinese coast guard intercepted the Philippine ships on the way. In response to the failure of the 100-ship provocation, the Philippine non-governmental organization also made amends, claiming that it had been successful, because the voyage was only 60 nautical miles from China's Scarborough Shoal, highlighting the Philippines' "spiritual victory method". In fact, the Philippines has also used a Chinese-built supply ship as a target ship before, and has attacked it with a variety of firepower.
Just when the Philippine 100-ship provocation failed, the Philippines had a rhythm to save face, because the Philippine defense secretary made a surprise visit to Thitu Island on May 16, thus trying to assert sovereignty. Thitu Island was originally controlled by Taiwan Island, during which there was a typhoon, so Taiwan personnel evacuated from Thitu Island, and then the Philippines took advantage of the situation to enter and control Thitu Island. Thitu Island already has airport facilities, which allow small aircraft to take off and land, making it an important Philippine stronghold in the South China Sea. After the Philippines illegally occupied Thitu Island, in order to maintain long-term control, it also moved its residents to Thitu Island in an attempt to occupy it for a long time.
According to public information, near the iron line reef very close to Thitu Island, the Chinese coast guard has maintained normal patrols, and the Chinese Navy also has patrol activities near Thitu Island. The Philippines has taken advantage of the US military deployment in the South China Sea to illegally occupy a number of islands and reefs very early, and now the Philippines is even more aggressive, in addition to using landing ships to run aground on Ren'ai Jiao, it is also trying to occupy Scarborough Shoal, and has already used official ships to move on Xianbin Jiao.
The China Coast Guard and the China Coast Guard have been prepared for the Philippines' provocations, and in fact, in terms of power comparison, China is fully capable of recovering Thitu Island and other islands and reefs illegally occupied by the Philippines. China has long been kind to the Philippines, but the Philippines has taken China's goodwill as a blessing and has continued to launch provocations in the South China Sea at the instigation of the United States. In the recent stage, the Chinese side has repeatedly warned the Philippines that if the Philippines continues to act perversely, it is clear that China will not be polite, and China has enough strength to respond to Philippine provocations, and the Chinese coast guard has not only high-pressure water cannons, but also 76mm artillery.
Judging from the Philippine defense minister's landing on Thitu Island, Shi is determined to confront China, and for this reason, Chinese coast guard ships are already near Thitu Island, thus putting pressure on the Philippines. China has taken no coercive measures against the Philippines for the sake of the overall situation, and now the Philippines is still unrepentant and trying to further expand its illegal rights and interests in the South China Sea. The Philippines dares to openly launch provocations because it has the support of the United States, which is trying to contain China through the South China Sea issue in order to prevent China's rise, so the United States is the key, and the South China Sea issue is actually part of the game between China and the United States.