Recently, the Philippines has carried out a series of provocations in the South China Sea, not only intruding into the waters near China's islands and reefs again, but also carrying "private goods". The Philippines has ignored China's warnings and shown that they are not paying attention to China's statement. Marcos** has the support of the United States, which they use to exacerbate disputes in the South China Sea. China should show a tougher stance while exercising restraint to address the Philippines' provocations.
After China's swift response and diplomatic representations, the Philippines provoked China again just 24 hours later, shifting its focus to Second Thomas Shoal. They dispatched two coast guard vessels, one official ship and one supply ship to try to intrude into the waters near Ren'ai Jiao and deliver supplies to the landing ship "Sierra Madre," which was illegally beached on the reef. Not only that, but they also carried construction materials with them in an attempt to reinforce the ship, illegally occupy Second Thomas Shoal for a long time, and seek to bring it under their control. This adventurous behavior of the Philippines is not only a provocation to China's statement, but also an action that they are bound to take.
The Philippine intrusion into Second Thomas Shoal is not a surprise to China. Since Marcos Marcos took office, the Philippines has been confronting China over the South China Sea, and no matter what measures China takes against it, the Philippines seems to be resolute and unflinching. This is closely related to Marcos**'s interest in two important reefs, Scarborough Shoal and Ren'ai Jiao. Although these two islands and reefs are small in size, they have abundant marine resources, including oil and gas resources and fishery resources. For a country like the Philippines, which is still in the early stages of economic development, the export of marine resources is the backbone of its economy. Therefore, the Philippines is desperate to control the two islands and reefs in order to reap more economic benefits.
The Philippines is not just backed by Marcos**, but also by the United States. Since Marcos took office, U.S.-Philippines relations have strengthened dramatically, and U.S. support for the Philippines has risen accordingly. Marcos' offering of treasure to the United States enabled him to gain its support. Since the beginning of this year, Marcos has successively opened up the use of a number of military bases to the US military, which has made it easier for the United States to intervene in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait affairs. In the process of confrontation with China, Marcos did the United States a great favor. The United States supports the Philippines in its confrontation with China in order to weaken China's influence in the South China Sea. Next, the United States will continue to encourage the Philippines to provoke China.
U.S. support for the Philippines is not without reason. For the United States, the Philippines is an important pawn in the confrontation with China. The Philippines' dispute over islands and reefs in the South China Sea gives the United States an opportunity to expand its influence in the South China Sea. The escalation of tensions between China and the Philippines will create a greater opportunity for the United States to intervene in the South China Sea. Therefore, the United States not only supports the provocations of the Philippines, but also continues to contribute to them.
In the face of the Philippines' provocative behavior, China should show a tougher stance while exercising restraint. On the one hand, China does not want to make the South China Sea dispute bigger, because once the international community intervenes, it will bring more opportunities to the United States and the Philippines. On the other hand, China does not want a complete cold relationship with the Philippines, which will lead to a drastic change in the situation in the South China Sea. After all, if relations between China and the Philippines deteriorate, it will give the United States the opportunity to seize benefits. Therefore, China should take some tougher measures at the appropriate time to address the provocative behavior of the Philippines.
China can take some forceful measures to respond to the Philippines' provocative behavior. First, China could increase patrols in the South China Sea to ensure its sovereignty over the islands and reefs. Second, China can continue to demonstrate to the Philippines diplomatically that it is determined to maintain sovereignty over Scarborough Shoal and Second Thomas Shoal. Thirdly, it has publicly condemned the provocative actions of the Philippines at the international level and actively enlisted the support of other countries. Finally, if the Philippines' provocations become more severe, China could consider more deterrent measures to warn the Philippines against further provocations. By demonstrating toughness, China can induce the Philippines to reassess its behavior and reduce the risk of escalation in the South China Sea. Only by maintaining overall stability in the South China Sea can China better handle its dispute with the Philippines.
The provocative behavior of the Philippines has brought considerable challenges to the South China Sea issue, and Marcos has the support of the United States behind him. China should show a tougher stance while exercising restraint. By taking appropriate measures, China can respond to the Philippines' provocations in a legitimate self-defense and safeguard its sovereignty in the South China Sea, while avoiding bringing the South China Sea issue to the international stage and creating more opportunities for the United States and the Philippines. China's goal is to maintain the overall stability of the situation in the South China Sea in order to find a more just and balanced solution.