1. China warns the Philippines not to provoke, otherwise it will be based on the number of words in this chapter: 235).
Since Marcos Jr. came to power in the Philippines, disputes have arisen between China and the Philippines over the South China Sea. The Philippines has not fulfilled its commitment to bring back the "beached" **Sierra Madre, resulting in precarious relations between the two sides. China's Governor Wang Yi said that the relationship between the two sides is at a crossroads, and the Philippines needs to think carefully about the future direction. Wang Yi stressed that the Philippines should not collude with countries with bad intentions, otherwise China will resolutely defend its rights. On December 25, China's spokesperson Mao Ning once again warned the Philippines that it hoped that it would pull back from the precipice and not continue to cooperate with foreign forces to provoke. At the same time, People** published an article signed "Bells", making it clear that provocative actions in the South China Sea that ignore China's goodwill and restraint are extremely dangerous. China's Maritime Safety Administration has also announced that it will conduct military exercises in the South China Sea to make its position clear with actions. This stern statement and action has sounded the alarm bell for the Philippines, and the warning is strong.
The Philippines and China have been at loggerheads over the South China Sea for years, and despite the Philippines' promise to expel the Sierra Madre from the South China Sea, years have passed and that promise has not been kept. This kind of non-keeping of promises has caused strong dissatisfaction in China, and China's first minister, Wang Yi, has publicly stated that the relationship between the two sides is at a crossroads. China stressed that the Philippines should consider its own future direction and not collude with hostile countries to cause trouble, otherwise China will resolutely take measures to protect its rights. The signed article of "People**" bluntly stated that if the Philippines ignores China's goodwill and restraint and continues to provoke, it will be extremely dangerous. In addition, China's MSA also announced that it will conduct military exercises in the South China Sea to demonstrate its position with concrete actions. These measures are undoubtedly a stern warning to the Philippines not to continue its provocations.
In response to China's warnings and measures, Marcos Jr.'s attitude seems to have changed. Previously, there were rumors in the Philippines that the Chinese ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian would be expelled, but Marcos Jr. said that he understood Huang Xilian and said that he would not expel him. Recently, in an interview with Japanese television, he said that although the United States has been helping the Philippines to carry out maritime patrols, the United States should not interfere in repairing the problem of the Sierra Madre, which is the Philippines' own business. This is undoubtedly a heavy blow to the United States, which has been geopolitically containing China and achieving its own political goals by intervening in the situation in the South China Sea. The Philippines' move effectively drew a red line for the United States, indicating that they do not want the United States to intervene in the restoration of Second Thomas Shoal. This shift in attitude shows that the Philippines is trying to de-escalate the South China Sea dispute and does not want to see the worst outcome. However, whether the Philippines can really control the actions of the United States and whether it can prevent the United States from intervening in the situation at Second Thomas Shoal has become an open question, and Marcos Jr. knows it.
Marcos Jr., who expanded the Philippines, seems to be aware of the importance of relations with China to the Philippines. He no longer blindly follows the United States, but shows a more independent thinking attitude. There were calls in the Philippines to expel the Chinese ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian, but Marcos Jr. said he understood and rejected the request. Recently, in an interview with Nippon TV, he stressed that the issue of repairing the Sierra Madre is an internal affair of the Philippines and that the United States does not need to intervene. This statement not only caught the United States off guard, but more importantly, drew a red line for the United States. The Philippines' reluctance to get involved in the Second Thomas Shoal issue also means that they want to reduce tensions in the South China Sea as much as possible to avoid the worst possible consequences. However, it remains to be seen whether the Philippines will be able to effectively control U.S. operations. The United States has been trying to act as a mediator in the South China Sea, and whether the Philippines can successfully resist U.S. intervention is also a major challenge for the Philippines under Marcos Jr.
The Philippines is currently facing a very difficult situation, and they have to choose a side between China and the United States. As an important economic partner of the Philippines, China has been of great help to the development of the Philippine economy. The Philippines is also well aware of China's firm stance on the South China Sea issue, and although it is influenced by the United States, it is also reluctant to further deteriorate relations with China. On the other hand, the United States has been trying to contain China's rise by supporting the Philippines in the South China Sea. However, instead of bringing real benefits to the Philippines, U.S. intervention could exacerbate regional tensions and create more uncertainties for the Philippines. As a result, the Philippines has made a difficult choice, hoping to maintain good relations with China and avoid becoming too antagonistic to the United States over the South China Sea. The Philippines under Marcos Jr. now understands that establishing good-neighborly relations with China is a choice that is in its own interest and will also contribute to regional peace and stability. Therefore, they are trying to reduce the level of tension in the South China Sea by controlling their actions.
The Philippines is currently facing a serious dilemma, and they must choose between safeguarding national interests and regional stability. China is an important economic partner of the Philippines and has played an indispensable role in supporting the Philippines' economic development. At the same time, China's position on the South China Sea issue has always been firm, and it has defended its territorial and maritime rights and interests, which is also a fact that the Philippines cannot ignore. While the United States has been trying to contain China in the South China Sea, it is not in real interest for the Philippines to rely too much on the United States. On the contrary, such actions could exacerbate regional tensions and create more uncertainty for the Philippines. As a result, the Philippines faces a key choice, which they want to maintain friendly relations with China and avoid a confrontation with the United States. The Philippines under Marcos Jr. has realized that it is in its own interest to establish a good-neighborly relationship with China and contribute to regional peace and stability. As a result, they are trying to reduce tensions in the South China Sea by controlling their behavior. Such an effort is very important for the Philippines, because they cannot ignore the importance of China in the South China Sea and the enormous benefits of economic cooperation with China. However, whether the Philippines can truly achieve this goal and whether it can effectively control the behavior of the United States is still an unresolved issue. It is only through steady action and wise decision-making that the Philippines can achieve its own interests and regional peace and stability.