1. Shocking statement: The United States accused the Chinese coast guard ship of illegally enforcing the law at Ren'ai Jiao and threatened to abide by international law.
Recently, the United States issued a statement criticizing the law enforcement activities of Chinese coast guard ships at Second Thomas Shoal. The statement said the presence of the China Coast Guard vessel was illegal and violated international law. The U.S. side also emphasized that the U.S. has always stood with the Philippines and said that the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty applies to armed attacks on the Philippine armed forces, public vessels and aircraft anywhere in the South China Sea. The statement was a response to the standoff between China and the Philippines over Second Thomas Shoal and Scarborough Shoal. On December 9 and December 10, Philippine vessels forcibly intruded into the waters of Second Thomas Shoal and Scarborough Shoal for two consecutive days, causing Chinese coast guard vessels to intercept and drive them away.
This statement shocked the world and sparked widespread discussion and attention. This move by the United States is not only an accusation against China, but also an important statement on international law and the regional situation. The statement emphasized the close relationship between the United States and the Philippines and made it clear that it would protect Philippine interests and security in the South China Sea, based on the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty. This position means that the United States is prepared to intervene directly in the South China Sea dispute and support the Philippines' provocative actions against China. This hard-line attitude toward China has undoubtedly brought new uncertainties to the regional situation.
2. China's Lawful Law Enforcement: China has repeatedly warned that it has been provoked by Philippine vessels and has taken legitimate law enforcement actions.
In response to accusations from the United States, the China Coast Guard released information that Philippine vessels forcibly entered the waters of China's Scarborough Shoal and Ren'ai Jiao twice on December 9 and December 10. Despite China's repeated warnings, the Philippine vessel still insisted on intruding, seriously violating international law and regional order. In desperation, the China Coast Guard took a series of law enforcement actions in accordance with the law, such as interception, route control and expulsion of Philippine vessels.
China's law enforcement actions are completely lawful and legitimate. As a sovereign state, China has the responsibility to safeguard its territorial integrity and maritime security. The Chinese side has warned the Philippine ships on many occasions, showing its resolute attitude of safeguarding national interests. However, the Philippine vessel ignored warnings, took aggressive actions, and even engaged in dangerous collisions, seriously disrupting China's law enforcement activities. In order to protect and maintain regional stability, the China Coast Guard had to take strong measures such as water cannons to intercept Philippine ships. This series of actions was carried out in accordance with international law and domestic law, and was fully consistent with China's sovereignty and law enforcement powers.
In the confrontation between China and the Philippines over Second Thomas Shoal, Marcos of the Philippines also made a series of radical remarks. Marcos called the presence of Chinese coast guard vessels and fishing vessels in the waters of Second Thomas Shoal "illegal" and accused China of launching "aggressive and provocative actions" against Philippine vessels and personnel in an attempt to stir up sentiment in the Philippines. In addition, Marcos also said that the Philippines' claims to Scarborough Shoal and Ren'ai Jiao will not stop, insisting that the Philippines is the only country with legitimate sovereignty.
Marcos Marcos's remarks in the Philippines are alarming, as he appears to be justifying radical behavior in the Philippines and stirring up nationalist sentiments in the country. Marcos called the presence of Chinese coast guard vessels and fishing vessels "illegal," completely ignoring international law and facts. In fact, China has legitimate law enforcement powers and sovereignty in the South China Sea. Marcos' remarks are not only a disregard for China's sovereignty, but also a threat to regional peace and stability. He has tried to hype up the South China Sea dispute to gain domestic support and the attention of the international community. However, such an approach will only further exacerbate regional tensions and bring more hidden dangers to regional peace.
The Philippines' aggressive behavior in this South China Sea dispute and Marcos' change in attitude reflect its role as an American man. The Philippines' actions on the South China Sea issue are all aimed at facilitating U.S. involvement in the South China Sea issue. The United States has taken advantage of this dispute to create a low-intensity conflict with China and expand its military presence in the Philippines to achieve the goal of containing China. The Philippines has sought to pressure China through U.S. intervention to satisfy its illegitimate claims in the South China Sea. However, the Philippines needs to recognize that if a military conflict breaks out between China and the Philippines, will the United States really side with the Philippines and be determined to break out into a head-on conflict with China? The Philippines would do well not to shoot itself in the foot.
What needs to be recognized is that the South China Sea issue is ultimately a great power game between China and the United States. The Philippines can only play the role of the United States and act as cannon fodder for the United States on the South China Sea issue. The aggressive behavior of the Philippines and Marcos**'s statement are essentially aimed at creating a pretext for the United States to intervene in the South China Sea. The U.S. aims to use a conflict with China to deploy more military bases in the South China Sea and contain China's rise. The Philippines is trying to pressure China with U.S. support, but they need to understand whether the Philippines can really get U.S. support in the event of a military conflict, and whether the U.S. intends to engage in a head-on conflict with China in the South China Sea. The Philippines would do well not to shoot itself in the foot.