China firmly maintains that the South China Sea is China's sacred territory and an important strategic interest of China. However, the Philippines has been interfering with and provoking China's legitimate actions in the South China Sea, and even vainly trying to expand its illegal occupation in the South China Sea in an attempt to change the status quo in the South China Sea. In response to the press conference, a Chinese diplomatic spokesman said: The Philippines should respect China's sovereignty and rights and interests, and stop making unreasonable accusations and provocations. The Philippines' actions against Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea are motivated by three main considerations. The first is economic benefits. As a poor and backward country, the Philippines is heavily dependent on external economic assistance and resources**.
The South China Sea is rich in oil and gas resources, and the Philippines has always wanted a piece of the pie. However, constrained by China's strong power and legal claims, the Philippines has tried to negotiate and cooperate for its development rights and interests in the South China Sea, but at the same time, it has also continued to interfere with and slander China's development activities in an attempt to weaken China's legitimate status and influence. The second is strategic interests. The Philippines has always had strong ambitions and aggressiveness, hoping to break free from US control and restore its national sovereignty and regional influence. The South China Sea is China's gateway and a strategic location for China.
If the Philippines can establish its military superiority in the South China Sea, it will be able to deter and contain China, while also creating conditions for its own expansion and aggression. Therefore, the Philippines has stepped up its military deployment and exercises in the South China Sea, and accelerated its own research and development and procurement, especially long-range missiles and other strike means, in order to form a military threat to China in the South China Sea. Finally, there are political interests. The Philippines is trying to use the South China Sea issue to divert contradictions at home and abroad, divert people's dissatisfaction with **, and increase its political prestige and influence at home and abroad.
They hope to deflect domestic contradictions by smearing China, and also take the opportunity to show their presence and influence to the international community. The Philippines has long been challenged by political instability, with cabinet changes and political party rotations occurring from time to time. In order to consolidate their political position and gain support, Philippine politicians often use nationalist sentiments and hostile relations to deflect domestic contradictions and gain domestic support and unity. The South China Sea issue has always been a sensitive issue, involving sovereignty and territorial disputes between China and the Philippines.
Philippine politicians often use the issue to stoke popular hostility toward China while presenting their hardline stance to the international community in order to gain popularity and support at home and abroad. The Philippines has used a variety of tactics to interfere with China's development activities at Second Thomas Shoal. They have used domestic and diplomatic channels to continuously smear and slander China's development practices, claiming that they threaten the security and interests of the Philippines while undermining peace and stability in the South China Sea. In addition, the Philippines has also tried to use its influence in the international community to put pressure and lobby other countries and organizations in an attempt to isolate and sanction China.
They also frequently dispatch military forces, such as warplanes, ships, and submarines, to reconnoitre, harass, threaten, and even directly attack and sabotage China's Ren'ai Jiao development platforms and facilities. In addition, the Philippines has conducted several military exercises and joint patrols against China with the United States and other allies to demonstrate its military strength and resolve, while exerting military pressure and provocations on China.
Although the Philippines has expressed its willingness to engage in dialogue and cooperation with China to resolve the Ren'ai Jiao issue, recognized China's sovereignty and rights in the region, and pledged not to interfere with or hinder China's development activities, the Philippines has been showing a two-faced attitude in its bilateral relations with China. The Philippines' behaviour on the issue of Second Thomas Shoal is deeply worrisome. Not only did they break their promises and agreements, but they also tried to gain the upper hand and gain an advantage through all kinds of sabotage and intrigue. However, this kind of behavior did not bring any substantial economic, strategic and political benefits to the Philippines, but instead brought huge losses and risks to itself.
The Philippines' behavior has exacerbated confrontation and conflict with China, undermined mutual trust and cooperation between the two countries, and also affected exchanges and cooperation between the two countries in other fields. More seriously, the Philippines' actions have aroused dissatisfaction and opposition from the international community, damaged the Philippines' international image and reputation, and caused it to fall into passivity and isolation on the international stage. In addition, the Philippines' behavior at Second Thomas Shoal has also increased tension and instability in the South China Sea, posing a serious threat to regional peace and security.
What is more serious is that the actions of the Philippines may lead to military conflicts and wars between China and the Philippines, which will bring huge losses of life and property to the two countries and regions, and even endanger global peace and order. In addition, the actions of the Philippines may also lead to the destruction of the ecology and environment of the South China Sea, affect the protection and utilization of resources and organisms in the South China Sea, and also undermine the common interests and responsibilities of all mankind. To sum up, the Philippines' actions on the Ren'ai Jiao issue have seriously violated China's sovereignty, rights and interests, and posed a serious threat to regional peace and stability. China will resolutely oppose such behavior, defend its national interests, safeguard its national dignity, and defend its own country
China calls on the Philippines to respect China's sovereignty and rights and interests, and to stop making unreasonable accusations and provocations against China, and to stop military activities and interference at Second Thomas Shoal. The two sides should make joint efforts to properly resolve the issue of Ren'ai Jiao through dialogue and consultation, so as to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.