Recently, the Philippine confrontation with China in the South China Sea has continued to escalate. Migz" Zubiri announced the approval of the defense budget for 2024, which will add an additional 104The 700 million pesos upgrade of the Philippine maritime patrol capability is aimed at enhancing the Philippines' confrontation capability with China.
To learn from previous failures, the Philippines decided to strengthen its own maritime patrol capabilities. This has not only raised the level of the Philippines' military equipment, but also demonstrated the determination and courage of the Philippines in self-defense. The move would increase the Philippines' leverage in the South China Sea game and demonstrate that it is not afraid of China's threats.
And this military escalation also means that the Philippines will devote more resources to meet China's challenge and make greater efforts to protect its maritime rights and interests. This is an important strategic adjustment of the Philippines on the South China Sea issue, and it also demonstrates the Philippines' determination to resolutely defend its sovereignty.
The Philippine side's operation to repair and reinforce a broken ship on Second Thomas Shoal sparked a fierce confrontation with China. The Philippines' actions are seen by China as a challenge to territorial sovereignty in the South China Sea and have taken tough obstructive measures.
The Chinese coast guard ship responded with a high-pressure water cannon to show its strong displeasure with the Philippines' violations. The bitter confrontation was deeply frustrating for the Philippines and confirmed China's uncompromising stance on the South China Sea.
The Philippine crew's risky ramming of a Chinese coast guard ship in order to carry out a patching plan also exposed their ignorance and disregard for the actual situation, a risky act that further exacerbated tensions between the two countries. The current actions of the Philippines have not only undermined mutual trust, but also complicated the South China Sea issue and increased the risk of conflict.
Despite China's severe obstruction, AFP Chief of Staff Romeo Brauner and Philippine Western Command Commander Carlos managed to board the wrecked ship on Second Thomas Shoal. The move was not only a challenge to China's sovereignty in the South China Sea, but also a courageous move by the Philippine military.
The visit of the Philippine military top brass demonstrated the Philippines' determination to safeguard its sovereignty. Unafraid of Chinese pressure, they have firmly expressed the Philippines' claim to Second Thomas Shoal. However, the Philippine side's previous ramming of the Chinese coast guard ship not only led to an escalation of the conflict between the two countries, but also made it more difficult for the Philippine side to achieve their goals.
Philippine spokeswoman Teresita Daza expressed China's provocation and considered expelling the Chinese ambassador from the country. The move is seen as a serious provocation against China and a demonstration of the Philippines' tough stance on the South China Sea.
The U.S. side immediately intervened, saying that the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty applies to the South China Sea. The statement further escalated tensions between China and the Philippines and escalated the confrontation between the two countries to a military dimension.
However, the Philippine military top brass has made it clear that the current confrontation in the South China Sea does not yet apply to the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty, because China's counterattack is limited to the use of water cannons and has not escalated further into an armed attack. This explanation has softened the U.S. stance, but it cannot negate the U.S. intention to continue to intervene in the South China Sea.
China and Vietnam jointly decided to build a shared future community and resolve their differences in the South China Sea through peaceful means. The move was a major diplomatic blow to the Philippines, which has been trying to co-opt Vietnam against China, but has been directly rejected by Vietnam.
Philippine spokesperson Teresita Daza's statement, as well as the actions of Philippine military top chief of staff Romeo Brauner and Philippine Western Command Commander Carlos, show that the Philippines is escalating its confrontation against China on all fronts.
Against this backdrop, China should seriously consider countermeasures to convey a solemn lesson to the Philippines. At the same time, it is worth noting that the United States made a statement after the maritime confrontation between the Philippines and China and referred to the US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty in an attempt to exacerbate the friction between China and the Philippines and elevate it to the stage of military confrontation.
However, the Philippine top will not be blinded by the real intentions of the United States. Philippine Chief of Staff Romeo Brawner immediately explained that the current dispute between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea does not apply to the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty.
In short, the Philippines' provocative actions against China in the South China Sea are intensifying. However, China is prepared for the worst and is prepared for a more complex maritime situation. In addition, the unanimous position of China and Vietnam will make the Philippines more isolated in the South China Sea and potentially marginalized in the future.