On the waves of the South China Sea, the squadron guided the new course of regional security with a firm rhythm. According to the latest report by Huanqiu.com, the Southern Theater has conducted joint naval and air training in the waters of the South China Sea at a predetermined frequency. The label "routine" reveals a clear signal: these military exercises are not accidental, but a continuous and anticipatory strategic deployment, which is enough to show the PLA's determination to strengthen its control over the South China Sea.
In the face of such a situation, the United States and the Philippines, which are trying to create chaos in the South China Sea, are gradually feeling the loss of their voice and presence. In the continuous maritime dynamics of the squadron, the strength and scale of the US-Philippine joint patrol seem to have been greatly reduced. The absence of the US aircraft carriers that were originally scheduled to participate in the patrol announced that the US military's huge vanity was facing a sharp contraction.
At that time, the US-Philippine joint patrol mentioned it again, but it seemed a little lonely. The fact that the initially announced plan for a powerful maritime patrol has been reduced to a handful of exercises reveals that the United States is no longer as influential in the South China Sea. The area of the joint patrol has also shown a downward trend, and is limited to Manila Bay around the Philippines compared to the past.
In fact, the interaction between China and the Philippines has also revealed subtle changes in the regional dynamics. The Philippine side tried to resupply the ships at Ren'ai Jiao in the Spratly Islands, but turned back on the way and failed to reach the intended position. Since December 10 last year, there have been no similar actions by the Philippine vessels, indicating a shift in the situation.
The Chinese Navy has demonstrated a resolute stance on regional security sovereignty and has effectively accompanied the joint patrols of the United States and the Philippines. Although the Philippine authorities claimed that the Chinese Navy destroyer Hefei and the frigate Huangshan accompanied the voyage, the PLA ships did not respond to the Philippine communications, showing their strategic determination with silence.
Looking at the military posture in the South China Sea, it is important to reflect on the meddling of external forces such as the United States, not only in the backfire, but also in the region. On the international chessboard, the United States has shown that its own rhythm is no longer so calm on various occasions in the Sino-US contest, and this has been fully proven in military incidents from the Yellow Sea to the South China Sea.
After a long period of geopolitical competition, the military posture in the South China Sea has been led by China. A series of U.S. military blunders in the South China Sea since 2016, and especially from 2021 to 2022, have further marked a further erosion of U.S. maneuver in the region. And the occasional small gesture of the Philippines has not been echoed by the rest of ASEAN.
Overall, this series of events underscores China's increasingly clear and assertive position in the South China Sea. In the face of external challenges, the performance of the squadron is eye-catching, which shows the strategic depth and wisdom it has shown in the South China Sea exercise. With the help of the profound national strength forged by the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea, as well as the development of independent innovation in science and technology in recent years, the squadron has consolidated a solid foundation for a tough stance on foreign countries. In the future, we have reason to believe that the squadron will continue to play a key role in stability and peace in the South China Sea.