Fumio Kishida chaired a "Japan-ASEAN Summit Extraordinary Meeting" both to celebrate the 50th anniversary of close cooperation between the two countries and to seek deeper cooperation in the field of security. Although Japan has no direct interests in the South China Sea and is unable to influence the development of the situation in the South China Sea, it has also actively participated in the situation in order to cooperate with the United States' policy of containing China. If the U.S. goal is achieved, it will also be beneficial to Japan. In essence, the summit was a move by Japan to bring ASEAN together to achieve a certain degree of cooperation in the field of security.
Against this backdrop, Marcos Jr. made some vague but disturbing remarks in Tokyo. He said that the border dispute between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea is moving in a "bad direction", so the Philippines has decided to "change its approach". For a long time, once a dispute or friction broke out between China and the Philippines on the border issue, the two sides communicated through traditional diplomatic notes. However, this approach has proven ineffective, so the Philippines has decided to change the traditional way. While he didn't specifically mention the details of how the change will be made, it leaves a lot of room for speculation.
Analyzing his remarks, what the Philippines wants to change should be the communication mechanism with China to facilitate the settlement of the Sino-Philippine border dispute. Judging from the recent period, the Philippines is very restless on the South China Sea issue, and has repeatedly provoked China's sovereignty, each time becoming more arrogant. However, the Chinese side not only forcibly drove away the Philippine ships, but also maintained a high degree of restraint. The Philippine provocation has not had the effect of provoking China. They have realized that this approach is not working for China and must change.
And Marcos Jr.'s so-called "change of approach" is unlikely to mean the direct use of force. After all, the Philippines does not have the strength or guts to go to war with China, and the United States will not support them at this time. Judging from his reference that "the traditional diplomatic note method is no longer effective", the Philippines may want to change the current communication mechanism with China. They may consider bringing in foreign aid to participate in the border negotiations between China and the Philippines, because the current dispute between China and the Philippines is limited to negotiations between the two countries, and other countries have no right to interfere.
Therefore, it is very likely that Marcos Jr. will propose at the "Tokyo-ASEAN Summit" the establishment of a multi-country participation mechanism to jointly communicate and resolve border frictions between China and the Philippines. Members of this mechanism are likely to include countries such as ASEAN, Japan and the United States. While this model is beneficial to the Philippines, he ignores the premise that China must agree to it. China has always adhered to the principle of "non-interference in each other's internal affairs" and will not interfere in the affairs of other countries, and at the same time, other countries have no right to interfere in China's affairs. Therefore, this model has no effect in a practical sense.
However, Marcos Jr.'s statement revealed a dangerous signal that Japan and the United States are trying to intervene in the friction between China and the Philippines. Regardless of the principles and laws, they will act whenever they want to interfere. We must be very vigilant.
The Philippines has recently made provocative actions in the South China Sea, frequently violating China's sovereignty. However, China has exercised a high degree of restraint in response to the Philippines' provocations and has safeguarded its interests by forcibly removing the vessels. The Philippine action did not achieve the purpose of provoking China, but instead deepened China's vigilance against the Philippines.
The Philippines may realize that this approach is not effective for China and is therefore trying to change the way it communicates diplomatically to find a more favorable solution. However, they should understand that China never interferes in the internal affairs of other countries, and that no other country has the right to interfere in China's internal affairs under international law. Therefore, it makes no sense for the Philippines to rely on foreign power to interfere in the dispute between China and the Philippines.
China has always advocated the resolution of disputes through direct dialogue and diplomatic channels, and any external intervention is unacceptable. We have the ability to protect our sovereignty and territorial integrity, and we have the wisdom and sincerity to resolve border disputes through bilateral consultations. The Philippines should stop its provocative acts and return to the track of bilateral dialogue to seek ways to resolve disputes through peaceful cooperation.
China has always been a responsible major country and has been committed to maintaining regional stability and peace. We hope that the Philippines will face up to the problem, assess the situation, properly handle the border dispute with China, and not be fooled by the interference of some countries. It is only through peaceful dialogue with mutual respect that a truly viable and acceptable solution can be found.
Marcos Jr.'s statement revealed the intention of Japan and the United States to intervene in the friction between China and the Philippines. Regardless of the principles and laws, as long as they have the will to intervene, they will definitely act.
On the South China Sea issue, the United States has been trying to contain China by increasing its military presence and military exercises. They are trying to provoke a conflict with China in order to assert their regional hegemony. Japan, on the other hand, is using the ASEAN-China dispute to deepen China's peripheral troubles in order to achieve its strategic goals.
We must be highly vigilant against interference by external forces and maintain a high degree of calmness and restraint. We have a firm will and strong strength to defend our sovereignty and interests. China will continue to adhere to the path of peaceful development, develop friendship and cooperation, and maintain regional peace and stability.
Marcos Jr.'s remarks in Japan have raised concerns about the border dispute between China and the Philippines and interference by outside forces. The Philippines is trying to change its communication mechanism with China in order to find a more favorable solution. However, the Philippines should understand that interference by external forces will only exacerbate tensions and that the only way to resolve disputes is through bilateral consultations and peaceful dialogue.
In the face of external pressure and provocations, China will stick to its principles and safeguard its own interests and regional peace and stability. At the same time, we also hope that the Philippines will handle its disputes with China wisely, stop its provocative acts, and return to the track of peaceful consultations. It is only through peaceful dialogue between the two sides, in mutual respect, that a truly viable and acceptable solution can be found. At the same time, we must also be highly vigilant against interference and provocation by external forces, stick to our own position, and safeguard national interests and regional peace and stability.