Tensions in the South China Sea have been further heightened recently by a collision between a Philippine vessel and a Chinese ship. The Philippines summoned the Chinese ambassador and said that the Chinese ambassador might be expelled, and Marcos Jr. said that he would not be intimidated by China. At the same time, the Philippines has actively sought support from the United Kingdom, the United States, and Japan, while Russia has sent a fleet to Manila, further complicating the situation in the South China Sea. According to Sputnik Communications on December 11**, Britain accused China of taking "insecure moves" against the Philippines in the South China Sea and led to escalation, and called on both sides to abide by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 South China Sea arbitration award, but China firmly opposed this and criticized the UK. Echoing previous US calls, the US and the UK seem to want more chaos in the South China Sea.
Marcos Marcos plans to travel to Japan to commemorate the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-Japan exchanges, and the Philippines appears to want to seek strategic support from Japan. It can be clearly seen that the United States, Britain and Japan are on the side of the Philippines and have emboldened the Philippines. The Philippines seems to believe that with the support of the United States, Britain and Japan, it can better confront China. However, China has repeatedly expressed tolerance for the Philippines without its understanding, leading to repeated tensions in the South China Sea. It is worth noting that Russia has also begun to pay attention to the situation in the South China Sea. On the 11th, the Russian Pacific Fleet sent a fleet to the port of Manila, including 2 Type 7000 anti-submarine destroyers with a displacement of more than 1155 tons. Amid the tensions in the South China Sea, does Russia's fleet visit mean that it wants to get closer to the Philippines?
It should be noted that China and Russia are real strategic partners, China has maintained neutrality and objectivity on the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and has maintained legitimate cooperation with Russia, and the relationship between the two sides is very good. Therefore, Russia should understand that a visit to the Philippines at this time could easily be seen as being on the side of the Philippines. The South China Sea has been China's territory and territorial waters since ancient times, and China has carried out infrastructure construction in the South China Sea, has the leading power and the ability to maintain stability in the South China Sea. Any force that wants to cause trouble in the South China Sea will not succeed. Neither the United States, Britain and Japan are on the side of the Philippines, nor Russia's visit to the Philippines will change China's superiority in the South China Sea. China has come to realize that the South China Sea cannot be resolved by forbearance and restraint, and that only by taking the necessary measures can it repel those clowns who jump off the beam. China loves peace, but it will never compromise on its core interests.
Resolving disputes in the South China Sea requires joint consultations between all parties, and cannot rely solely on China's peace intentions. The United States has repeatedly supported the Philippines in its attempts to sow chaos in the South China Sea, but China will not be allowed to do so. The South China Sea is not America's backyard!