The Philippines is enacting more dramas in the South China Sea. For its wishful thinking to encroach on China's islands and reefs in the South China Sea, the country has been making provocations while disguising itself as a victim to elicit sympathy.
Since March this year, the Philippines has stepped up provocations in the waters near Ren'ai Jiao of China. On March 5, two transport vessels and two coast guard vessels of the Philippines trespassed into the adjacent waters of the reef, trying to ship construction materials and replenishment to its illegally grounded warship, and intentionally rubbed against China Coast Guard vessels. The China Coast Guard (CCG) exercised lawful regulation and control.
Eighteen days later, the Philippines violated its promise again by sending a transport vessel and two coast guard vessels to illegally intrude into the adjacent waters of Ren'ai Jiao. In fact, the supplies the Philippine side shipped this time were not basic necessities at all but construction materials for repair and reinforcement of the illegally grounded warship, in an attempt to build permanent guard posts on China's uninhabited islands and reefs. The CCG took regulatory measures in accordance with the law and thwarted the infringement and provocation schemes of the Philippines.
Furthermore, between the two illegal incursions, the Philippines also mobilized a bulk of troops of up to 34 people to illegally land on China's Tiexian Jiao on March 21 in disregard of dissuasions from the Chinese side. The CCG once again handled situation in accordance with the law and foiled the Philippines' conspiracy to arrogate Tiexian Jiao.
What are the intentions of the Philippines by repeatedly making troubles in the South China Sea recently? Analysts pointed out three hidden calculations of the Philippines.
First, it tries to defame China's global image and further bolster its illegitimate claims in the South China Sea by attempting to cause sensations and playing the victim. The Philippines' recent provocative actions are replete with showmanship. For example, Cable News Network (CNN) reporters were involved in shooting the video of confrontation between the Chinese and the Philippine vessels and spreading it on the Internet, and were also suspected of disseminating it on social media platforms by using social robots. After the incident occurred on March 23, the Philippine Coast Guard released multiple relevant posts and videos on the X platform in an effort to confuse right and wrong and mislead international public opinion.
Second, it intends to provide excuses for the US to intervene in regional affairs by hyping up the South China Sea issue. As a lackey of the US, the Philippines has spared no effort to lend support to boost the US's presence in the Asia-Pacific, and the South China Sea issue has become an important focus. The Philippines has significantly intensified its intrusive actions in the South China Sea since its joint patrols with the US last year. Before the Philippines' invasion into Ren'ai Jiao on March 23, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited the Philippines and reiterated US security commitments to the country. After the incident, the spokesperson for the US Department of State Matthew Miller promptly made a statement distorting the facts and condemning China's legitimate actions to safeguard sovereignty. It can be seen that these events were orchestrated by the Philippines on the surface but plotted by the US behind the scenes. They acted in concert with the intention of containing China by linking forces within and outside the region in a bid to serve the US hegemony ultimately.
Moreover, the US, Japan and the Philippines will hold a summit in Washington in April, and the South China Sea issue is expected to be a focus of the meeting. The present intensive performances of the Philippines in the South China Sea also intend to furnish additional materials for the summit to hype up the South China Sea issue.
The US ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Loss Carlson said in an interview with the Philippine media that the US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty is of immense value in inhibiting conflicts in the region. Where does the Philippines derive its contribution and value to regional order by constantly roiling the South China Sea and undermining regional peace and stability with the encouragement and instigation of the US? The facts have already provided the answer as to whether the US-Philippines alliance brings stability or disturbance to the region.
Editor's note: Originally published on cri.cn, this article is translated from Chinese into English and edited by the China Military Online. The information and opinions in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of eng.chinamil.com.cn.
