Recently, the Philippines' wanton behavior in the South China Sea has attracted widespread attention. The Philippines decided to force their way into the waters of Second Thomas Shoal, however, they paid the price, not only damaging a vessel, but also failing to achieve their goal. However, what happened next was very unusual for the Philippines, because China's actions were completely different from those of the past, which can be described as "unprecedented".
According to reports, Powell, an expert on South China Sea security issues at Stanford University in the United States, pointed out that China's actions at Ren'ai Jiao are different from those in the past. Normally, as soon as Philippine supply ships and other vessels withdraw, the Chinese blockade ships return to their bases at Mischief Reef. But this time is completely different.
Powell noted that Chinese vessels remained in the waters of Second Thomas Shoal within 24 hours of the clash between Chinese and Philippine vessels, and that satellite imagery showed 11 Chinese vessels in Second Thomas Shoal, as well as 27 other vessels in nearby waters, including Chinese vessels involved in the latest conflict. What is even more surprising is that some Chinese ships are only about 2 kilometers away from the broken ship "Sierra Madre" that has run aground in the Philippines.
Worryingly, none of these vessels have turned on the Automatic Identification System for Ships (AIS), which is quite rare for Chinese vessels to enter Second Thomas Shoal. The 11 Chinese ships are the most Powell has seen so far. The "extremely unusual" move seemed to send a special signal to the outside world. In addition, the Chinese Coast Guard vessel 5402 has repeatedly clashed with Philippine vessels, and the Chinese Coast Guard vessel 21556 has also fired water cannons at Philippine vessels.
The news of the American expert is really interesting. If true, it means that China may have made new moves in the direction of Ren'ai Jiao or even the South China Sea. The main reason why the Chinese ships did not leave Second Thomas Jiao as usual may be that they are holding their positions to prevent the Philippines from "stealing chickens and dogs" again.
The Philippines' clear goal is to get the illegal building materials aboard the Sierra Madre. The ship ran aground on Second Thomas Shoal, where Filipino soldiers were stationed, so every once in a while Filipino supply ships came to deliver something. However, the recent actions of the Philippines have become very rampant, they deliberately do not notify the Chinese side, entrainment of illegal building materials, and even forced intrusion.
The Philippine side frequently dispatched ships, usually in the early hours of the morning, in an attempt to sneak past the Chinese by surprise, but each time they failed. China has deployed heavy troops at Ren'ai Jiao and is ready to respond to Philippine actions at any time. Whenever the Philippines wants to make a move, China will accompany it.
Interestingly, within 24 hours of the Philippine vessel's collision, the Chinese vessel remained in the waters off Second Thomas Shoal and did not turn on the Automatic Identification System (AIS), indicating a special move by the Chinese side. This "extremely unusual" behavior may have sent some kind of special signal.
Among them, the Chinese Coast Guard ship 5402 clashed with Philippine ships on several occasions, and even the Chinese Coast Guard ship 21556 fired water cannons at Philippine ships. The moves have raised concerns that China may have new moves at Second Thomas Shoal and in the South China Sea.
The goal of the Philippine side is to send illegal building materials to the ship "Sierra Madre", which is stranded on Second Thomas Shoal, where Filipino soldiers are stationed. To this end, the Philippines has frequently dispatched ships to try to sneak past Chinese surveillance, but each time it has failed. China has deployed heavy troops at Ren'ai Jiao and is ready to respond to Philippine actions.
This event is still ongoing and will be updated as it progresses.