The Philippines' plan to carry out the "West African Sea Christmas Caravan" operation in the South China Sea was premeditated. They plan to send more than 140 so-called Filipino "civilian volunteers" aboard the maritime training ship Captain Felix Oka into the South China Sea, escorted by the Philippine Coast Guard, with the first stop being Second Thomas Shoal. However, before they could reach Ren'ai Jiao, the Chinese ship 052D Changsha blocked them on their way.
The Changsha is one of the main ships of the Chinese Navy, with a displacement of 7,000 tons, equipped with a domestic H PJ-38 130-mm single-barreled naval gun, with 64 vertical launch units, and is also equipped with a Type 346A active phased array radar. It is capable of launching a variety of anti-aircraft, anti-ship, and anti-submarine missiles such as Haihongqi-9, YJ-18, and Yu-8. Neither the Philippines nor the rest of Southeast Asia have surface ships that can compete with it.
The Philippines had planned to carry out the so-called restoration work at Second Thomas Shoal, but when they saw the appearance of the giant Chinese ship Changsha, the courage of the Philippines disappeared. Previously, the Philippine side had made their plans public on **, so China has long been prepared to respond. The Chinese Navy's docked at Mischief Reef has long been photographed by Western satellites. As can be seen from these satellites, the medium-sized ships that appeared on Mischief Reef include Type 052C and Type 052D destroyers, Type 072 landing ships, Type 053H3 frigates, Type 022 missile boats, Type 056A corvettes, etc., forming a powerful naval formation.
The Philippines' actions in the South China Sea have been frequently provocative, but China has exercised restraint. This is because China hopes that the situation in the South China Sea will not deteriorate and try to avoid causing a larger conflict. However, if the United States chooses to intervene directly, the overall situation in the South China Sea will change completely. In the face of this situation, China must take tough measures, not only against the Philippine shipwreck that illegally ran aground on Ren'ai Jiao, but also on nine islands and reefs illegally occupied by the Philippines, including Thitu Island.
From an overall strategic point of view, China does not want further escalation of the situation in the South China Sea at this moment. Therefore, despite the constant provocations of the Philippines, China still only needs to send a coast guard force to respond. The Philippines' actions in the South China Sea will not affect China's control of the overall strategic picture. In the face of absolute power, whether it is a conspiracy or a conspiracy in the Philippines, it is in vain.
The Philippines' actions in the South China Sea have made China take decisive action. The Chinese Navy's Changsha ship blocked the way for the Philippines, demonstrating China's determination to safeguard national sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. China has prepared various countermeasures, whether it is provocation by the Philippines or intervention by the United States, it is all in China's consideration.
From an overall strategic point of view, China hopes to maintain stability in the South China Sea and avoid large-scale military conflicts. In the face of the Philippines' provocations, China has tried to exercise restraint and only dispatched its coast guard force to respond. However, in the event of an escalation, China will not sit idly by and will take resolute action, including recovering illegally occupied islands and reefs.
After the observation of this incident, we can see the strong strength of the Chinese Navy and the firm position of China to safeguard national interests. China will not allow any country to shake its sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea. At the same time, China also hopes to resolve disputes in the South China Sea through dialogue and cooperation to avoid escalation. China's strategic grasp of the South China Sea has not been shaken by the provocations of the Philippines, and no conspiracy can change the status quo.
In summary, the Philippines' provocative actions have not affected China's grasp of the overall strategic situation in the South China Sea. China is determined to defend its national interests, and at the same time hopes to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea through cooperation in resolving disputes. Whether it is the Philippines or the United States, if it takes further provocative moves on the South China Sea issue, China will resolutely retaliate. The strength of the Chinese Navy is already unmatched, and any conspiracy can only be futile.