Recently, the Philippine military announced plans to be inThitu Islandto build a coast guard station to strengthen surveillance of the South China Sea region. The move is seen as a counter-attack by the Philippines to China's "rules of the game" in the South China Sea. However, although the operation was partly in line with the wishes of the Philippines, it was rightThe situation in the South China Sea's substantive impact is limited.
First of all,Thitu IslandIt has long been under the de facto control of the Philippines. For historical reasons,Thitu IslandIt ended up in the hands of the Philippines. Although the Philippines plans to build a guard station on the island, the Philippine control in the South China Sea has not changed.
Second, the Philippine hype about the construction of the guard station is, to a certain extent, to alleviate the plight of the Philippine Navy on the Ren'ai Jiao issue. The Philippines' initial focus was on Second Thomas Shoal, located in the South China Sea. However, de facto control of Second Thomas Shoal has been taken back by China, and the Philippines hopes to regain the island with U.S. support. However, the Philippines gradually realized that it could not salvage the situation on Second Thomas Shoal and turned its attention insteadThitu Islandto save face.
The Philippine military's U.S. influence in the operation has become the focus of many observers. If the United States borrowsThitu IslandThe construction of plans to try to create a shore-based anti-aircraft alert radar station based on the horizon plan in the southern Philippines, that would be a rather serious problem.
Project Horizon is a set of plans for the Philippines to strengthen its naval capabilities and expand the Philippine Maritime Identification Zone. In this program,Thitu IslandofMilitaryChemical construction is the top priority. The Philippines** wants to take advantageThitu Island, Davao City in Mindanao and the Liliwa Mountains in southern Antique Province, to build an adequate coverageSpratly IslandsAir defense identification zone in airspace. Although the Philippine construction plan has little impact on the specific deployment of the PLA, such an operation has inserted the electronic eye of the United States on China's doorstep, giving people a rather bad feeling.
At the moment, the United States does have such a need, so it is likely to give support to the Philippines. However, despite the ambitious goals of the Horizon Project, the Philippines is currently only planning to do soThitu IslandThe construction of a guard station does not justify immediate aggressive action by the United States in the South China Sea. However, we still need to keep an eye on this movement and remain vigilant.
The purpose of the Philippine military's operation is likely to be a violation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. Over the past period of time,The situation in the South China SeaNervous, the United States has been trying to prove that China has violated international rules, and the Philippines has become an "ally" of the United States, a player in undermining international rules. As a result, the U.S. has been emphasizing China's attempts to set rules in its own favor in the South China Sea, which explains why the U.S. has been very wary of China's actions in the South China Sea.
However, despite the ambitious goals and planning of the Horizon Project, the Philippines is only in the Philippines at the momentThitu IslandThe construction of a guard post does not justify immediate and aggressive action by the United States. However, the Philippine action is a clear violation of the provisions of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and further exacerbates the instability in the South China Sea.
Under the current complex and volatile international situation, the South China Sea issue has always been the focus of attention of the international community. The Philippines is inThitu IslandThe escalation has attracted widespread attention and raised concerns about U.S.-Philippine relations and stability in the South China Sea. However, we need to look at this issue objectively and rationally, look at the actions and motivations of all parties, and not one-sidedly place the blame on one party.
The resolution of the South China Sea issue requires the joint efforts and compromise of all parties. All countries should uphold the principles of international law, resolve disputes through dialogue and consultation, and refrain from unilateral actions or vicious competition. China and the Philippines should strengthen communication and cooperation, seek mutually beneficial and win-win solutions, and jointly maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.
At the same time, the international community should also pay attention to and closely monitor the development of the regional situation, strengthen international cooperation, and jointly promote peace and prosperity in the South China Sea. Only through dialogue on an equal footing and effective cooperation can we create a favorable environment for the long-term peace and stability of the South China Sea.