The South China Sea issue has always been the focus of the international community's attention, especially as the dispute between China and the Philippines continues to escalate. As an interferer in the South China Sea issue, the United States has repeatedly used the US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty as an excuse to threaten and accuse China. However, is this threat really potent, or is it just a bluff?Looking back at the "mutual defense" treaties in U.S. history, it's not difficult to see that U.S. commitments are often unreliable and even laughable. This article will analyze the international game behind the South China Sea issue in depth from the following aspects, and expose the hypocrisy and incompetence of the United States.
The United States issued a statement in March reaffirming the scope of the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty, including the South China Sea. The statement was seen as a threat to China, intended to support the Philippines' claims in the South China Sea and constrain China's actions. However, does this threat really have any real credibility?We can judge the true attitude and capabilities of the United States by observing its past performance on the South China Sea issue.
The U.S. position on the South China Sea issue has always been ambiguous. The United States claims that it does not take a position and does not take sides, but only upholds international law and freedom of navigation. However, the actions of the United States do not correspond to its rhetoric. The United States has continuously sent ** and aircraft into the South China Sea to conduct so-called "freedom of navigation operations" to provoke China's sovereignty and security. The United States has also conducted military Xi in the South China Sea and conducted joint training with the Philippines, Vietnam and other countries to increase tensions in the South China Sea. The United States has also engaged in political interference in the South China Sea issue, imposing groundless accusations and sanctions against China, and undermining peace and stability in the South China Sea.
The behavior of the United States on the South China Sea issue reflects its hegemonism and double standards in international affairs. The United States is trying to influence the situation in the South China Sea and interfere in the legitimate rights and interests of the countries bordering the South China Sea with its own will and interests. The United States has also tried to replace international law and universally recognized norms with its own laws and rules, and deny China's historical and legal basis in the South China Sea. The threat of the United States is actually a kind of bullying and intimidation, a misreading and misleading of the South China Sea issue, and a kind of undermining and threatening peace in the South China Sea.
The conflict between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea has drawn accusations from the United Kingdom, the European Union, Canada and other Western countries, the most prominent of which is the United States. The accusations of the United States against China have caused a diplomatic storm, however, is this just a political show?
The U.S. accusations against China are actually a political maneuver aimed at safeguarding its own interests and influence, not to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea. The U.S. accusation against China is actually a double standard, ignoring its own interference and provocation in the South China Sea, and only blindly blaming China for its legitimate actions. The accusations made by the United States against China are in fact hypocritical and irresponsible, ignoring China's reasonable position and sincere efforts on the South China Sea issue, and only blindly inciting and provoking confrontation and conflict in the South China Sea.
The U.S. accusation against China is actually ineffective and powerless, because it cannot change the facts and status quo in the South China Sea, nor can it affect China's determination and will. The U.S. accusation against China is actually a kind of isolation and helplessness, because it has not received the support and recognition of the South China Sea region, nor has it been understood and respected by the international community. The accusations made by the United States against China are actually a kind of self-deception and conceit, because it has failed to recognize its own mistakes and failures on the South China Sea issue, nor has it recognized its own limitations and predicament on the South China Sea issue.
The United States has threatened the "US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty" and tried to meddle in the South China Sea issue. However, is this just a bluff that hides the actual helplessness and powerlessness of the United States?
The U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty is a military alliance treaty signed between the United States and the Philippines in 1951 that stipulates that in the event of an armed attack, the two sides shall consult with each other and take appropriate action, including military action, to safeguard and protect the territory, people, and interests of both sides. The United States claims that the treaty applies to the South China Sea, meaning that if China challenges the Philippines' claims in the South China Sea, the United States will send troops to help. This threat, which seems tough, is actually weak.
First of all, this threat is a violation of international law and basic norms governing international relations. The South China Sea issue is a complex dispute over territorial and maritime rights and interests, involving many countries and regions, which needs to be resolved peacefully through dialogue and negotiation in accordance with international law and bilateral agreements. As a third party that is not a littoral state in the South China Sea, the United States has no qualifications and rights to interfere in the South China Sea issue, let alone the right to intervene in the South China Sea issue by force or the threat of force. The threat of the United States is interference and interference in the South China Sea issue, disrespect and distrust of the countries bordering the South China Sea, and a violation and challenge to international law and order.
Second, the threat is not actually operational and enforceable. The content of the US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty is actually very vague and conditional. The treaty stipulates that in the event of an armed attack, the two sides shall consult with each other and take appropriate action, but it does not specify what constitutes an armed attack, what is appropriate, and how to consult and make decisions. This leaves the United States with a lot of room for maneuver and can make decisions based on its own interests and judgments, rather than necessarily sending troops to help. This means that the United States can choose whether or not to fulfill its treaty obligations, or how to do so, according to its own interests and judgment. The threat of the United States is, in fact, a blank promise, a promise without guarantee and restraint, and a guarantee without credibility and confidence.
In the end, this threat has no real effect or impact. The deterrent effect of the US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty is actually very limited. China's position on the South China Sea issue is firm and clear, and it will not waver or back down because of US threats.