The Philippines' recent actions in the South China Sea have attracted widespread attention. The country is clearly well prepared to use the United States' participation in joint military exercises to seek strong support from behind it, and then to launch a series of activities and harassment in the South China Sea. Such a strategic move undoubtedly shows the ambition and determination of the Philippines on the South China Sea issue.
Just a few days ago, the Philippines organized more than 100 ships to intrude on Scarborough Shoal. While the ships are still drifting at sea, the Philippine spokeswoman can't wait to claim that she has fulfilled her mandate.
Probably, in their opinion, such actions have managed to distract the attention of the Chinese side. As a result, the Philippine Department of Defense led a group of senators to visit Thitu Island in an unannounced manner, intending to further provoke and test China's bottom line.
However, their ideas are clearly too naïve. During an attempt to land, they were warned by radio from a Chinese Navy ship. This is undoubtedly a strong response to their actions and a manifestation of China's firm determination to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
On May 16, a special event was launched on Thitu Island in the South China Sea. Philippine Senate Speaker Zubiri and a number of senators, accompanied by Secretary of Defense Gilbert Teodoro, arrived by plane to Thitu Island, which they had illegally occupied.
However, there is an undercurrent behind this seemingly calm event. As the planes approached the airspace over Thitu Island, they were subjected to several radio warnings from warships of the Chinese Navy. Although the Philippine side said that it had become accustomed to this, and even called such warnings "standard work", they were still shocked and angry by China's strong presence on Thitu Island.
Facing the reporter's camera, Zubiri did not mention how he invaded Thitu Island back then, but showed a look of grievance. He complained that he had been told that it was Chinese territory and had been asked to leave while operating on his own territory.
However, facts speak louder than words, Thitu Island has been China's inherent territory since ancient times, and the Philippines' encroachment and occupation has seriously violated international law and norms governing international relations.
Their trip was ostensibly to attend the groundbreaking ceremony for the new naval barracks, but in reality there was much more to the island. While visiting and offering condolences, they also used binoculars to closely observe the China Coast Guard 5204 ship and a number of Chinese "militia ships" three nautical miles away.
That direction is where Iron Money Reef is located, and it is also the place they have been trying to encroach on. In March this year, the Philippines conducted a large-scale "scientific expedition" landing operation on the Wire Reef. They sent personnel to the reef on two occasions, most of them military and coast guard members.
After the first successful delivery of 34 people, they were able to carry out illegal activities afterwards because the Chinese coast guard could not intercept them, and the water on the reef was too shallow for the coast guard vessels to move freely. However, on the second illegal landing, they were forcefully driven away by the Chinese navy. Under the impact of strong air currents, the "scientific research" team of the Philippine organization fell into chaos, and many people were injured.
Since then, China has tightened its control over the Wire Reef. However, the Philippines has not reined in its provocative actions. As the wrecked ships on Ren'ai Shoal were about to corrode and disintegrate, they organized hundreds of more ships to storm Scarborough Shoal. But in the face of China's early deployment of the navy, coast guard, and large civilian vessels, they ultimately returned in vain.
This action not only failed to achieve their goals, but further escalated tensions in the South China Sea. Perhaps because of the successive setbacks in recent actions, coupled with China's repeated stern warnings, the Philippines is beginning to feel a little weak.
Fearing retaliation from the Chinese side, they went to Thitu Island to conduct reconnaissance to prepare for the response. However, this weakness and concern did not stop them from continuing to provoke China. During the event, Philippine Defense Secretary Teodoro claimed that the inhabitants of Thitu Island were safe and insisted that right-thinking countries would not attack civilians.
However, when asked whether they could quickly reach Thitu Island and keep civilians safe in the face of the constant hovering of Chinese coast guard ships and maritime militia vessels, Teodoro's answer was somewhat vague.
He tried to threaten the Chinese by issuing a warning that if the Chinese tried to attack, it would face fierce resistance from Philippine troops. However, this threat did not have any impact on the Chinese side.
At the same time, the president of the Senate, Zubiri, expressed satisfaction with Teodoro's answer and, together with him, used a telescope to observe the Chinese ships in the distance. However, this amplification has no real effect. As far as such a small military strength on Thitu Island is concerned, it will not help at all in wartime. Teodoro also acknowledged at a press conference that the government has an emergency plan to evacuate residents in the event of an attack. This undoubtedly exposes the weakness and powerlessness of the Philippines on the South China Sea issue.
From this series of events, it can be seen that the Philippines is overconfident after receiving security guarantees from the United States. They are trying to provoke China with the help of the United States and encroach on Chinese territory.
However, they seem to have forgotten the fact that whether they want to land on Thitu again or strengthen the defense of Thitu Island, given the strength of the Philippines, it is wisest to withdraw voluntarily. If they continue to provoke the Chinese side, then the Chinese side will no longer just fly a helicopter to blow sand at low altitudes to warn like last time.
China will take stronger measures to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
On the South China Sea issue, China has always adhered to the principles of peace, cooperation and win-win results, and is committed to working with neighboring countries to maintain regional peace and stability. However, in the face of provocation and encroachment by the Philippines and other countries, China will never sit idly by. China will firmly safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and at the same time call on neighboring countries to abandon the zero-sum Cold War mentality and jointly promote peace and development in the South China Sea.
Finally, it should be emphasized that the South China Sea is where China's core interests lie and the emotional sustenance of the Chinese people. Any attempt to occupy China's territory and undermine peace and stability in the South China Sea will be met with China's resolute opposition and strong response.
It is hoped that the Philippines and other countries will have a clear understanding of the situation, return to rationality, and work with China to maintain peace and prosperity in the South China Sea.