Recently, the Philippines, backed by the United States, has been carrying out provocative activities in the South China Sea. For the first time since the conflict between China and the Philippines over the island, a US warship entered the waters of Ren'ai Jiao. Later, the Philippines released news that there was another island in Nansha, and the number of Chinese first-class ships suddenly increased, so it started the idea of a larger Jiuzhang Islands, and used this as a reason to send a patrol ship to "show sovereignty".
The Philippine Coastal Guard recently issued a statement saying it was observing an alarming increase in the number of Chinese vessels in the Oxbow Reef area of the Spratlys, with the number of Chinese fishing vessels increasing to 135 from 111 last month. The Philippines sent two patrol boats to the waters to conduct surveillance. During this period, the USS Giffords, a U.S. offshore combat vessel, entered the waters near Ren'ai Jiao in the South China Sea without the consent of the Chinese authorities, and dispatched a coast guard unit to closely track and monitor it.
Positioning of Mischief Reef and Scarborough Shoal).
These two incidents, on the surface, are not related, but in fact they are inextricably linked to the disputes in the South China Sea. More than 90 kilometers west of Mischief Island in China's Nansha is the "beach" of the Philippine shipwreck, which is the so-called "Nansha". The islands, reefs and surrounding waters have always been the main operating waters and shelters of the Chinese fishing fleet, and it is completely legal for Chinese ships to work and take shelter here. Putting these two pieces of news together, two problems can be seen:
The Philippine side of the Chinese vessel in the waters of Oxbow Reef **).
First, the U.S. Navy's littoral combat vessels were spotted near Second Thomas Shoal, apparently in support of the Philippines. At the same time, the Philippines is also creating new "islands" outside the "Ren'ai Jiao", indicating that its ambitions are also expanding after receiving the support of the US ** team, and the goal is directly aimed at the larger Jiuzhang Islands. First, the Philippines claimed that 135 Chinese ships were gathering on a reef near Jiuzhang Island, and then sent cruisers into the area to carry out their "law enforcement." This kind of self-writing and self-acting behavior should arouse more people's vigilance. It is clear that the Philippines has expanded its influence on the islands and islands of the Spratlys.
Conflict between the Philippine Coast Guard and the Chinese Coast Guard).
Secondly, in the near future, there will be a large-scale naval battle at Second Thomas Shoal and adjacent reef areas. Late last month, the Philippine Defense Council issued an announcement that it called"Philippine Sea"of"National Task Force", providing supplies for an abandoned ship. Unlike previous ones, this military exercise will involve Filipino citizens Xi.
According to Philippine news reports, their initial plan was to mobilize various Filipino fishing groups and civil society organizations to form more than 40 civilian vessels to jointly "swear sovereignty" to China's illegally occupied islands in the South China Sea, and may even forcibly break into the Philippine "Ren'ai Jiao" to help the Philippines ** transport prohibited materials to the sunken ship.
According to foreign countries, in recent days, three Philippine coast guard ships have left the Philippines and may be involved in this operation.
US Navy "Giffords" "Freedom-class" littoral combat vessels).
Next came the actions of the American side. This time, for the first time, the U.S. fleet entered Ren'ai Jiao and clashed with Ren'ai Jiaodao. The United States openly supports the Philippines in providing support to China in the South China Sea, which is undoubtedly instigating, and even forcing Marcos Jr.** to escalate the contradictions with China.
However, the dispatch of the "Freedom-class" aircraft carrier by the United States also shows that it is "cautious" about the South China Sea. It is well known that the American "Littoral Combat Ship" is one of the worst plans. Due to mechanical problems, the "Independence" was massively retired from active service after only a few years of service;Although the "Freedom" is okay in terms of performance, even if it is equipped with anti-aircraft missiles, it is not comparable to the 056 A of the Chinese people in terms of comprehensive capabilities, let alone 054 A of the same level.
However, the only advantage of this offshore warship is that it can travel at a speed of 40 knots. The problem is, what is the matter with you sending a powerful warship like the "Arleigh Burke" to the South China Sea to "show off your might", but you sent a coastal combat ship with weak firepower but fast action?Is it for the convenience of being intercepted by the People's Liberation Army and then quickly "running away"?
Type 22 missile boat, fast speed, heavy firepower)
The most suitable ship for the PLA to combat the American Littoral Combat Ship is the Project 22 fast stealth missile. Some of the 22nd high-speed flying boats have long been stationed at Second Thomas Shoal, near Mischief Island. Of course, the No. 22 missile speedboat weighs 200 tons, and its ability to resist waves is naturally not as good as that of a 3,000-ton destroyer, so it is impossible to drive it away in bad weather. But Mischief Island is only 30 kilometers away from Second Thomas Reef, which allows the People's Liberation Army to make the most appropriate response.
The Philippines does not really control Scarborough Shoal on Thitu Island in the South China Sea, and in fact, there is no better way for them to break this impasse here. Against this background, Marcos sent a cruiser fleet to the Nansha waters to reopen the "battlefield," which also meant that it was completely on the "thief ship" of the United States. Let's not hope for the Marcos regime, but prepare for the worst for cooperation between the Philippines and the United States.
In particular, the Philippine patrol team has already patrolled the islands near the Spratlys, and the target is directly at the larger Jiuzhang Reef.