As a small country in the South China Sea, the Philippines should have made good use of the peaceful environment to pursue its own development. During the Duterte era, the Philippines had relatively friendly relations with China and had some development opportunities through cooperation with China. However, with Marcos Jr. coming to power, the Philippines began to choose a strategy close to the United States, working with the United States to cause trouble in the South China Sea, leading to tensions in the South China Sea. This is an unbelievable act, and the Philippines could have sought better development with the help of a peaceful environment, but instead chose to play the role of pawn, pawn and cannon fodder.
Philippine vessels illegally intruded into the waters near China's Scarborough Shoal, and Chinese coast guard ships decisively "opened fire" and used water cannons to control them. The Philippine side claimed that the Chinese coast guard ship suddenly attacked the Philippine ship with water cannons, causing damage to Philippine communications and navigation equipment and affecting safe navigation. However, the China Coast Guard has exercised maximum restraint in safeguarding its sovereignty over Scarborough Shoal, repeatedly warning Philippine vessels and asking them not to touch China's red lines. The Philippines has chosen to ignore these warnings and continue its provocations.
The Philippines has complained about the use of water cannons by Chinese coast guard vessels to control Philippine vessels, arguing that such a practice is dangerous and has caused damage to Philippine vessels. However, in fact, the Chinese Coast Guard vessels are carrying out their duties to safeguard the sovereignty of Scarborough Shoal and taking appropriate measures, which are in full compliance with international law and practice. The Philippine vessel provoked trouble first, and the Chinese coast guard ship took measures to protect its rights and interests, and the Philippines has no reason to criticize the normal practices of the Chinese coast guard vessel. The Philippines is just a rebellious mentality that cannot hide the fact of its provocative actions.
The Philippines has also complained that Chinese fishing vessels have used long-range directional acoustic wave dispersion devices on Philippine fishery administration vessels, resulting in temporary severe discomfort and loss of capacity for Filipino crews. However, while the Chinese Coast Guard vessel was taking control measures, the Philippine vessel engaged in dangerous ramming. The responsibility lies squarely with the Philippines, and the Chinese coast guard vessels have exercised maximum restraint. The Philippines has continuously stirred up trouble at Scarborough Shoal and Ren'ai Jiao, and both have created a dangerous situation and intensified its provocations. This shows that the Philippines, instigated by foreign forces, has stepped up its provocations in the South China Sea in an attempt to realize its own illegal interests in the South China Sea.
In the face of the Philippines' continuous provocations and undermining peace and stability in the South China Sea, China has made its position clear, shown its cards, and announced six clear views. These include sovereignty in the South China Sea, arbitration in the South China Sea, the legality of China's deployment of facilities and scientific research activities in the South China Sea, the Philippines' illegal beaching at Second Thomas Shoal, China's interpretation of the fishing moratorium in the South China Sea, and the Philippines' recent frequent provocative violations. Through these views, China has made it clear to the Philippines that it has done its best to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea, and that if the Philippines continues to provoke, it will reap the consequences.
This kind of clear statement and bottom-line reminder is a warning from China to the Philippines. China has made it clear that if the Philippines continues to provoke, the consequences will be unbearable for the Philippines. China has been maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea, and at present, ASEAN countries and all countries in the South China Sea region are on China's side, and it is unwise for the Philippines to provoke.
To sum up, the Philippines' provocative behavior in the South China Sea situation is incredible. As a small country, the Philippines should make good use of the peaceful environment to pursue its own development, rather than being a pawn and cannon fodder for others. China has done its best to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea, and has clearly expressed its bottom line and warnings. The Philippines should stop its provocative acts and return to the track of peaceful and stable development.