Tensions in the South China Sea have recently resurgented, and the Philippines' joint patrols with Australia have drawn warnings from China. This suggests that the Philippines is clearly trying to escalate its actions in the South China Sea and provoke China. The Philippine-Australian joint patrol is just the beginning of the momentum, and other countries may join in the future. This kind of behavior is undoubtedly a challenge to China, but the Chinese side will not sit idly by. This article will analyze the background and intentions of the Philippine-Australian joint patrol and China's response from several aspects.
Since Marcos took office, the Philippines has been trying to carry out provocative actions in the South China Sea. At Ren'ai Jiao and Scarborough Shoal, the Philippines has repeatedly sent coast guard vessels to forcibly enter China's territorial waters, but the Chinese side has intercepted them. Finding that it did not gain an advantage in the confrontation with China, the Philippines began to enlist outside forces in the South China Sea. This follows three days of joint patrols between the Philippines and the United States, and again with Australia just a week later. It is foreseeable that if China does not respond, the Philippines may also invite other countries, such as Japan, to participate in joint patrols. The Philippines and Japan recently signed an agreement on the mutual stationing of troops and said they would provide patrol equipment to the Philippines. The Philippines' intentions are obvious: to confront China by co-opting external forces.
The Philippines' provocative moves are clearly aimed at China. Although the Philippines is patrolling the high seas jointly with the United States and Australia, the signal for this action is clear: it is sent to China. On the one hand, the Philippines has been provoking China in the South China Sea with clear goalsOn the other hand, the Philippines claims to uphold the "rules-based international order," which is exactly what the United States has said on the South China Sea issue, and the United States hopes to assert its regional hegemony by uniting its allies.
The Philippines' continued efforts to draw external forces into the South China Sea issue are intolerable to China. The Chinese side dispatched warplanes to track and warn the Philippine-Australian joint patrol in real time, indicating that China will not sit idly by and watch the Philippines' provocations. Song Zhongping, an expert on Chinese affairs, pointed out that the Philippines has roped in external forces to show off its force at China's doorstep, and China's response is inevitable. If the Philippines continues to ramp up its provocative actions, China's response is likely to be tougher.
China has a firm position on the South China Sea issue and will resolutely defend national sovereignty, security and maritime rights and interests, and maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea. The Philippines' provocation will only provoke a strong reaction from China, which will not be polite to such behavior. China has the ability to take various countermeasures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests in the South China Sea.
The Philippines' provocative actions have led to a further escalation of tensions in the South China Sea. The Philippines' enlisting of the United States and Australia in the South China Sea issue not only undermines regional peace and stability, but also violates the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. The South China Sea is a complex and sensitive region, and countries should resolve disputes through dialogue and cooperation, rather than using force to make a show of force and provocation.
The Philippines' provocations pose not only a threat to China, but also a risk to the security and stability of other countries in the region. All countries should exercise restraint, abide by international law and rules, and work together to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.
The joint patrol operation between the Philippines and Australia is a provocation to China. The Philippines' continued provocations in the South China Sea have triggered warnings and tough responses from China. China will not sit idly by and watch the Philippines' provocations grow in the South China Sea. The Philippines' actions have led to a further escalation of tensions in the South China Sea and seriously undermined regional peace and stability. States should exercise restraint and resolve issues through dialogue and cooperation, rather than resorting to force. China will firmly safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea. At the same time, China also hopes that all parties can work together to contribute to regional security and cooperation.
The joint patrol operation between the Philippines and Australia has provoked a strong response from China, and tensions in the South China Sea have further escalated. The Philippines' provocative behavior is a direct challenge to China's sovereignty and interests, and China will not sit idly by. As a major country, China has the ability and determination to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests in the South China Sea. At the same time, China also hopes that all parties can resolve disputes through dialogue and cooperation and jointly maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea. The Philippines should stop its provocative actions against China and return to the track of dialogue and cooperation to achieve common development and prosperity in the region.