The South China Sea is an important maritime area in Asia and an important route for international shipping. However, in recent years, tensions have grown in the South China Sea, where multiple countries compete for interests and influence. Among them, the Philippines, as one of the coastal countries in the South China Sea, has adopted a tough attitude towards China at the instigation of foreign forces, trying to establish an "eight-nation alliance" in the South China Sea to counter China's legitimate rights and interests. However, this approach has not only failed to win the support of ASEAN, but has instead made the Philippines fall into the encirclement and suppression of external forces, harming its own interests and security.
The United States has always been behind the South China Sea issue, constantly stirring up incidents in the South China Sea and undermining regional peace and stability. According to Russian media reports, US White House assistant Jake Sullivan spoke with "** advisers" from Japan and the Philippines, hyping up the South China Sea issue and claiming to be "concerned" about China's actions in the "disputed island" area. Under the pretext of the US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty, the United States has also tried to include the South China Sea issue in its military alliance and intimidated China by military means. However, China resolutely refuted this, pointing out that the US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty is a product of the Cold War and should not harm the interests of third parties or affect regional peace and stability.
The Philippines, led by the United States, has also taken a tough stance against China and has constantly provoked and challenged in the South China Sea. The Philippines claims sovereignty over some of the islands and reefs in the South China Sea, but this claim is not supported by international law. The Philippines has also illegally built and militarized islands and reefs in the South China Sea, seriously violating China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. The Philippines has also repeatedly dispatched ** and aircraft into China's territorial waters and airspace to provoke and harass them, endangering the safety of Chinese personnel and facilities. These actions by the Philippines not only violate the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, but also undermine the mutual trust and friendship between China and the Philippines.
In addition to the United States, India is also a destabilizing factor in the South China Sea. India, while not a littoral state in the South China Sea, is trying to expand its influence in the South China Sea to compete with China. The Indian Navy's Kamota-class anti-submarine frigate INS Kadmatt (P29) has arrived in Manila, claiming to help the Philippines "protect territorial waters." India seems to want to use military exercises with the Philippines to show its strength and peddle warships. India has also carried out numerous military cooperation with Vietnam, Malaysia and other countries in an attempt to establish an anti-China strategic alliance in the South China Sea.
The Philippines, at the instigation of India, also plans to bolster its armaments in the South China Sea. Although the Philippines plans to bring in Australia's "offshore patrol vessels", it is underfunded and is still fighting for a 2024 procurement budget. The Philippines is seeking more large patrol vessels from Japan to improve its offshore cruising capabilities. The Philippines also plans to purchase U.S. F-16 fighter jets to enhance its air deterrent. These armament plans of the Philippines have not only increased the degree of militarization in the South China Sea, but also exacerbated tensions in the South China Sea.
The Philippines, with the support of the United States and India, also plans to form an "eight-nation coalition" in the South China Sea, win over the United States and Australia, and conduct "sea and air patrols" with France. The Philippines' plan is an attempt to form an international bloc in the South China Sea to confront China in order to achieve its illegal claims in the South China Sea. However, this plan did not have the support of ASEAN, and instead put the Philippines under siege from external forces.
As an important stakeholder in the South China Sea, ASEAN has always advocated a peaceful settlement of the South China Sea issue through dialogue and consultation. ASEAN's relations with China are also based on the principles of mutual benefit and friendly cooperation. ASEAN does not want to be led by foreign forces, nor does it want to be drawn into confrontation and conflict in the South China Sea. ASEAN's low-key attitude is a sign of its dissatisfaction and distrust of the Philippines. Vietnam's positive interaction with China also suggests that the Philippines may be overly optimistic. Although Vietnam has some differences with China in the South China Sea, it has not taken a hostile attitude towards China like the Philippines. Vietnam and China have maintained close exchanges and cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, culture and people-to-people relations. Together with China, Vietnam has also contributed to peace and stability in the South China Sea by facilitating the consultation process on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.
Amid the vicissitudes of the South China Sea, the Philippines' complacency may be just a passing fantasy. If the Philippines does not recognize the situation, it may find itself in a political and military quagmire. The Philippines should abandon its illegal claims in the South China Sea and return to the track of dialogue and consultation with China and other ASEAN countries to jointly maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea. A prudent foreign policy and friendly cooperation with neighboring countries may be a wise move to resolve the South China Sea issue. In international relations, rational and sober judgment and action can bring real benefits and security to the country.