The South China Sea has been relatively calm, but the Philippines has been a source of surprise in the region. As a small country in the South China Sea, the Philippines should have made the most of the peaceful environment to pursue its own development, but it has chosen to be close to the United States and confrontational with China. In particular, after Caldaron came to power, the Philippines began to cooperate with the United States to stir up trouble in the South China Sea, which gradually escalated tensions in the South China Sea.
On December 9, the Philippines of 3 shipsFisheriesand the Bureau of Aquatic Resources official ships ignoredChina Coast Guard vesselto forcibly intrude into the waters near China's Scarborough Shoal. In order to maintain sovereign security, ChinaCoast GuardDecisive control measures were taken to control Philippine vessels using water cannons. The Philippines later complainedChina Coast Guard vesselShips in the Philippines are 1 distance from Scarborough Shoal4 to 1The sudden use of water cannon control at the 9 nautical mile hour caused serious damage to the communications and navigation equipment of Philippine vessels, which had an impact on safe navigation.
In fact, ChinaCoast GuardIt has always exercised maximum restraint in safeguarding its sovereign rights and interests at Scarborough Shoal, repeatedly warned Philippine vessels that violated the law, and asked the Philippines not to touch China's red line. However, the Philippine side does not understand China's goodwill and continues to be stubborn. In this case,China Coast Guard vesselIt is completely normal and reasonable to take control measures and use water cannons to drive them away. The Philippines is not eligibleChina Coast Guard vesselAfter all, the Philippine ships were the first to provoke.
In addition, the Philippines has complained about ChinaFishing boatsThe use of a long-range directional acoustic wave dispersion device on a Philippine fishery administration vessel resulted in severe discomfort and incapacitation of Filipino crew. And whereasChina Coast Guard vesselWhen the control measures were taken against Philippine vessels, the Philippines** actually crashed into ChinaCoast GuardBoat. According to ChinaCoast GuardThe Philippine vessel ignored repeated warnings and suddenly rammed in an unprofessional and dangerous mannerChina Coast Guard vessel, resulting in a scraping event. Obviously, the collision is entirely the responsibility of the Philippine side.
It is worrying that the Philippines has carried out provocations for two consecutive days, and in Scarborough Shoal andSecond Thomas ReefSeparate provocations are rare in the South China Sea. This also shows that the Philippines, instigated by external forces, has significantly stepped up its provocations in the South China Sea. By provoking the South China Sea, the Philippines is trying to gain the support of foreign forces to achieve its own illegal interests. However, such successive provocations will only bring more trouble to peace in the South China Sea.
In the face of the Philippines' provocative behavior, China has shown its cards and made six points clear. China stresses that it has indisputable sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao and adjacent waters, and has jurisdiction and sovereign rights over the relevant waters of the South China Sea. China also noted that:South China Sea ArbitrationSerious breachesInternational Law, is illegal. In addition, China has deployed defense facilities and conducted scientific research activities on the islands in the South China Sea, as well asCoast GuardBoat cruises are carried out in accordance with the law, and there is no reason for any country to raise objections. Second Thomas ReefIt's ChinaSpratly IslandsPart of the Philippines ** illegally beached and should be towed away immediately. China's fishing moratorium and other measures in the South China Sea are aimed at protecting living marine resources in waters under its jurisdiction, and countries such as the Philippines are not in a position to blame. The Philippines has recently frequently illegally landed on China's drone islands and reefs, sending ** on Scarborough Shoal andSecond Thomas ReefThe provocation is a grave violation of the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.
China has put forward these six points to tell the Philippines that China has done its best and that if the Philippines continues to provoke, it will suffer the consequences. China has always safeguarded its sovereignty and legitimate rights and interests, and has always been committed to resolving disputes in the South China Sea through peace and negotiation. However, it is also necessary for China to send a strong warning to the Philippines that it is aware of the cost of provocation.
The control measures taken by China are completely reasonable and compliantInternational Lawand international practice. According toInternational Law, the State has the right to protect the security and order of its own territory and the sea area under its jurisdiction. China's control measures are aimed at safeguarding its sovereignty and security and protecting its territorial and maritime rights and interests. Philippine ships provokedChina Coast Guard vessel, is completely challenging China's sovereignty andLawsBottom line, China's control measures are designed to deter illegal actions in the Philippines and protect its legitimate rights and interests.
In the international community, it is irrational to question and criticize China's regulatory measures. Some countries or individuals have expressed dissatisfaction and concern about China's control measures, accusing China of being too tough and threatening to stability. However, this kind of criticism lacks an objective and comprehensive understanding, and only looks at the problem from its own perspective and one-sidedly. In fact, China has always emphasized resolving disputes in the South China Sea through peaceful means, but at the same time, it will also take necessary measures to defend its sovereignty and rights when necessary.
In the face of China's lawful control measures, the Philippines should recognize the situation and make rational decisions. The Philippines should stop its provocative acts and return to the track of harmony and stability. The Philippines should maintain dialogue with China and resolve disputes in the South China Sea through peaceful means. The two sides should find a mutually beneficial solution through dialogue and consultation.
The South China Sea has always been an important sea lane and resource-rich area, and it is also one of the core interests of East Asia. Based on the principle of maintaining regional peace and stability, all countries should resolve differences through cooperation and jointly develop the resources of the South China Sea to achieve mutual benefit. Only through peaceful cooperation can we bring true prosperity and stability to the South China Sea region. Provocations and confrontations will only exacerbate regional tensions and are not in the interests of either side.