SincePhilippines**Since Marcos Jr. took office, he has been committed to building a closer relationship with the United States. After the escalation of tensions in the South China Sea, the Philippines has co-opted the United States and become a typical vassal of the United States on the South China Sea issue. The United States and its allies, the United Kingdom, Japan, the European Union, and Canada, have issued statements condemning China's so-called "insecurity and escalation" of the Philippines in the South China Sea, and demanding that both sides abide by itInternationalLaw. This provocation against China has reached a new climax.
However, while the Philippines is provoking China and seeking support from the United States, Vietnam has given a different answer. According to the Observer.com,Sino-VietnameseRecently, the two sides issued a joint statement, agreeing to manage maritime differences, refrain from taking actions that complicate the situation and escalate disputes, and jointly maintain maritime stability. The joint statement was issued as:Sino-VietnameseThe relationship has injected new vitality and given new impetus to the interaction between China and Vietnam.
Vietnam has been co-opted by many countries, especially the United States. However, Vietnam has more interests and responsibilities in the South China Sea disputes. So China's strategy now is to reassure Vietnam and ASEAN as a whole that they don't blindly follow the U.S. pace. Only if Vietnam makes a clear statement will China have more freedom to respond to provocations.
The Philippines' behavior in the South China Sea has become increasingly warlike. They are constantly provoking China and trying to increase the power of the confrontation by co-opting allies. However, the Philippines will face a major challenge when Vietnam decisively agrees with China and expresses its willingness to work with China to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea and the region.
Whether the Philippines can afford the consequences of the rupture of Sino-Philippine relations is a question that needs serious consideration. China's to the PhilippinesEconomyAid and cooperation cannot be ignored, and once Sino-Philippine relations break down, the Philippines will face serious problemsEconomyPlight. In addition, the Philippines will lose the opportunity to engage in dialogue and resolve differences with China on the South China Sea issue, which is also a huge loss for maintaining regional peace and stability.
The Philippines should recognize that provoking China and relying on U.S. support will only bring more trouble to itself. Instead of provoking conflict over the South China Sea, China and other ASEAN countries should work together to resolve disputes through dialogue and cooperation and jointly maintain regional peace and stability.
The South China Sea issue is a complex regional dispute that involves the interests and concerns of many countries. While the Philippines is trying to provoke China by provoking war and co-opting allies, Vietnam has chosen to cooperate with China to jointly maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea and the region.
As a country with abundant maritime resources, Vietnam faces more responsibilities and challenges in the South China Sea disputes. The joint statement reached by Vietnam and China this time not only reorients the relations between the two countries, but also injects new impetus into the interaction between the two countries. For China, Vietnam's decisive move has given it more latitude to deal with the South China Sea.
The Philippines should recognize that provoking China and seeking U.S. support will only bring more trouble to itself. Instead of taking a hostile attitude towards China, it is better to work together with China and other ASEAN countries to resolve disputes through dialogue and cooperation and jointly maintain regional peace and stability. Only in this way can the Philippines truly enjoy the development opportunities offered by the South China Sea, rather than being bogged down in endless disputes.