In 2023, Marcos of the Philippines made promises and statements during his visit to China, but his words and deeds are not consistent with his actual actions. The Philippines has taken a series of provocative actions, including frequent dispatch of coast guard vessels and sea vessels to waters near Second Thomas Shoal and Scarborough Shoal, as well as joint patrols with the United States and Australia in the South China Sea. The Philippines' position is clear: it wants to go toe-to-toe with China on the South China Sea issue. It is worth noting that the joint patrol carried out by the Philippines and the navies of other countries has had a worse impact on the South China Sea. The Philippines plans to build a coast guard base on Thitu Island and deploy radar, satellite communications systems and image-gathering systems to improve the coast guard's law enforcement capabilities in the South China Sea. The Philippines is trying to achieve its goal of illegally occupying China's islands and reefs in the South China Sea by tightening its control over Thitu Island and its surrounding waters. The Philippines is also actively interacting with the United States and its allies, hoping to share the pressure from China. However, the U.S. relationship with the Philippines is exploitative, using the Philippines as a pawn and a tool to facilitate its military intervention when the South China Sea or Taiwan Strait issues intensify. The survival of the Philippines is not important to the United States, so the United States has not given exact guarantees. In the face of collusion between the Philippines and external forces, China has taken countermeasures and united Southeast Asian countries to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.
From November 29 to December 1, 2023, the coast guards of China and Vietnam conducted a joint patrol operation in the waters of the Beibu Gulf, aiming to deepen maritime law enforcement cooperation between the coast guards of the two countries and jointly maintain the security and stability of the waters of the Beibu Gulf. In this joint patrol operation, Chinese coast guard ships and Vietnamese coast guard ships participated, and the two sides also carried out joint exercises, ship visits, cultural and sports exchanges and other activities to strengthen exchanges and interactions between law enforcement officers of the two countries and strengthen the cooperative relationship between China and Vietnam coast guards.
1. The coast guard departments of the two countries have strengthened exchanges and interactions
The joint patrol operation between the Chinese and Vietnamese coast guards not only helps to deepen the cooperative relationship between the two coast guards, but also demonstrates Vietnam's willingness to communicate and exchange with China. Although there are some differences and disputes between China and Vietnam over the South China Sea, the launch of joint patrols will actively promote the implementation of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. In addition, the cooperation between the Chinese and Vietnamese coast guards has set an example for other South China Sea countries to realize that South China Sea issues should be resolved through dialogue and exchange, not through confrontation and competition.
2. Jointly safeguard the security and stability of the waters of the Beibu Gulf
The purpose of the joint patrol operation carried out by the Chinese and Vietnamese coast guards is to jointly maintain the security and stability of the waters of the Beibu Gulf. The waters of the Beibu Gulf are an important sea lane and economic cooperation area between China and Vietnam, and its security and stability are of great significance to both countries. By strengthening maritime patrols and law enforcement cooperation, the coast guards of China and Vietnam can jointly respond to maritime security threats and illegal activities, protect their maritime rights and territorial sovereignty, and maintain regional peace and prosperity.
3. Promote further deepening of maritime law enforcement cooperation
The joint patrol operations between the Chinese and Vietnamese coast guards will help further deepen maritime law enforcement cooperation between the two countries. Through joint exercises and exchanges, the coast guards of the two countries can strengthen the exchange and sharing of technology and experience, and improve the capacity and level of law enforcement. In addition, joint patrol operations have helped to enhance mutual trust and willingness to cooperate between the two countries, providing a basis for future cooperation in a wider range of fields.
In the current complex and volatile situation in the South China Sea, the joint patrol operation of the Chinese and Vietnamese coast guards demonstrates the determination and strength of the two sides to jointly maintain maritime security and stability. Such cooperative actions not only help to resolve bilateral differences and disputes, but also serve as a positive example for other South China Sea countries. Only by strengthening cooperation and resolving issues through dialogue and consultation can lasting peace and prosperity be achieved in the South China Sea. China-Vietnam cooperation is a microcosm of stabilizing the situation in the South China Sea and a concrete manifestation of China's active promotion of cooperation and dialogue to resolve disputes in the South China Sea. In the future, it is necessary to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation among countries, resolve the South China Sea issue through mutual understanding and compromise, and achieve regional peace, stability and common development. Only through cooperation and dialogue can confrontation and competition be avoided and peace and stability in the South China Sea can be maintained.