According to the South China Morning Post, a well-known international media in Hong Kong, Philippine lawmaker Rufus · Rodriguez recently made a request to United States, hoping that United States would donate the soon-to-be-retired missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (USS Philippine Sea) to enhance the Philippines' defense capability in the South China Sea. The request has attracted attention from the outside world and pushed the game between China and the United States in the South China Sea into the focus of public opinion.
In the complex geopolitical environment of the South China Sea, the Philippines has always relied on a military alliance with United States and relied on the 1951 U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty as a defense against "external threats."
Rodriguez's request reflects the Philippines' desire to protect its so-called "rights" through United States' military support in the face of disputes in the South China Sea to ease Philippine "pressure." However, there is still much uncertainty about whether this request will be responded to by the United States.
Request from the Philippine side
Rodriguez sent a letter of request to United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Defense Austin and Ambassador Carlson to the Philippines last Wednesday, hoping that the United States would consider transferring the USS Philippine Sea missile cruiser, which is scheduled to be decommissioned next year, to the Philippines.
The Ticonderoga-class missile cruiser, which has been in service since 1989, has been capable of fighting in blue waters and is expected to effectively support the Philippines' so-called sovereignty claims and help protect fishermen from "interference."
The request comes just after a tense incident between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea.
At that time, a Chinese maritime vessel collided with a civilian vessel from the Philippine Fishery Resources Authority. The incident occurred near Thitu Island (known as "Pagasa Island" in the Philippines).
The Philippines accused China of using "intrusion" tactics to influence its actions in the South China Sea. In fact, China's actions are entirely aimed at safeguarding its own interests and ensuring peace and stability in the region.
For a long time, the United States has repeatedly expressed its support for the Philippines. Last year, during a visit to Palawan, United States Vice President Kamala · Harris, reaffirmed United States position on interests in the South China Sea and expressed readiness to support the Philippines' so-called "sovereign" defense at any time.
President Biden has also emphasized on various occasions the United States' commitment to the Philippines. However, it remains to be seen whether the ship "Philippine Sea", which has fallen into disrepair, will be handed over to the Philippines.
It is worth noting that even if the United States agrees to donate cruisers, the Philippines will still have to face maintenance costs, which will be a big test for its already stretched budget.
Analysts are skeptical, because such ships, despite their firepower, will be a long-term burden for the Philippines due to their age, high maintenance costs.
Will United States agree?
There is a great deal of uncertainty as to whether the United States will agree to donate the missile cruiser.
First of all, the USS Philippine Sea, as a Ticonderoga-class missile cruiser, is equipped with modern weapons systems, including Tomahawk cruise missiles (TLAMs) and ballistic missile defense interceptors.
These weapons are highly combative, but the cruiser has been in service for many years and is expensive to maintain. For a country with a limited budget such as the Philippines, it will be a long-term investment to consider how to obtain weapons supplies from the United States after receiving the ship.
Security experts point out that the cruiser, as a naval asset, needs to go through a variety of approvals before it can be donated.
Even if the U.S. side agrees to donate, the Philippines may further ask for weapons systems such as Tomahawk missiles, which involves United States strategic layout in Southeast Asia.
Once the Philippines acquires these weapons systems, it will undoubtedly enhance its operational capabilities in the South China Sea, which could trigger new regional tensions.
In recent years, U.S.-Philippine military relations have gradually strengthened, especially after the new Philippine government took office.
United States has not only restored several military bases in the Philippines, but also increased military aid. The Philippines' move is clearly intended to deepen U.S.-Philippine military cooperation in order to enhance its maritime defense capabilities.
However, whether this request will be responded to by the United States depends on United States' strategic calculations in the South China Sea.
United States is advancing the Indo-Pacific Strategy to balance China's influence in the South China Sea. If the United States agrees to donate, it will further strengthen its military foothold in the Philippines; If it refuses, the Philippines may reassess its trust in United States.
For United States, how to respond to this request will directly affect the development of U.S.-Philippine relations.
If United States agrees to donate cruisers, the situation in the South China Sea could be further complicated. The Philippines may use cruiser firepower to conduct more confrontational cruises to assert its presence in the South China Sea. This will increase tensions between China and the Philippines.
China has always advocated resolving disputes through peaceful dialogue, and the South China Sea issue has always been part of China's national interests. If the Philippines takes more aggressive measures in the South China Sea with the help of United States military support, it may trigger China's vigilance and response.
In the long run, the resolution of the South China Sea issue requires all parties to exercise restraint and reach consensus through consultation and negotiation.
United States' military deployment in the South China Sea and the Philippines' offer for help have complicated the situation in the region. For China, adhering to the principle of peaceful development and maintaining stability in the South China Sea through multilateral cooperation remains the most effective solution.
A little summary
Philippine lawmakers' request for United States to donate missile cruisers reflects the Philippines' security "concerns" in the South China Sea and its dependence on U.S. military support.
Whether the United States agrees to this request or not, China should continue to maintain a deterrent posture to safeguard its own interests, while also reasonably promoting multilateral negotiations to achieve peace and stability in the South China Sea.
As the situation in the South China Sea changes, China will continue to take measures to firmly safeguard its own interests and ensure that its national security is not threatened.