The unauthorized intrusion of the USS Giffords into the waters near Ren'ai Jiao has triggered tensions between China and the United States. U.S. Navy Admiral Grady said the U.S. will continue to operate in international waters, including the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait, emphasizing that the U.S. has a strategic advantage in the South China Sea and the support of allies and partners. However, China quickly responded by announcing military training in parts of the South China Sea and issuing navigation warnings prohibiting sailing into the area.
At the same time, the large anti-submarine ships of the Russian Pacific Fleet also sailed through the Singapore Strait into the South China Sea, demonstrating the tacit cooperation between China and Russia in military operations and sending a clear signal to the outside world to maintain regional peace and stability. This is undoubtedly an effective warning for the United States. Admiral Grady's assertion that the United States has strategic advantages in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait, as well as allies and partners, seems intended to boost the confidence of some countries. In reality, however, it also reveals that these countries are only tools used by the United States to contain China.
This statement is a red flag that the United States may assist the Philippines in repairing the "beach"** as a priority goal in the next phase. In the long run, the rivalry between China, the United States and Russia in the South China Sea will continue to intensify. The dispute between China and the Philippines over Second Thomas Jiao has been going on for quite some time. Although the Philippines has been trying to fix the "beach"**, they have been restricted by the Chinese coast guard. Based on humanitarian considerations, although China allows the Philippines to send supplies, it will never allow any supplies to reach the "beach"**In this case, the Philippines understands that it cannot achieve its goals on its own, so it is natural to seek help from the United States.
From the U.S. point of view, it is necessary to assist the Philippines in maintaining the existence of the "beach"**. Because if the ship does not exist, the Philippines will not be able to claim sovereignty, which will undoubtedly weaken its restrictions on China in the South China Sea. Instead, China has massively expanded the Philippines in the South China Sea, and with its infrastructure capabilities, the ship could soon become an unsinkable aircraft carrier or a resupply base for Chinese ships. For the U.S. strategy in the South China Sea, it is obviously very disadvantageous for China to acquire a strategic base. Therefore, the United States wants to strengthen the Philippine presence at Second Thomas Shoal.
However, regardless of the intentions of the United States, China's position is very clear: our territory will not be conceded to the outside world. China's abrupt announcement of military exercises Xi is another clear response to this position. The United States should not doubt China's determination to defend its national sovereignty and territorial integrity, let alone use so-called international law as an argument. Those countries that wantonly trample on international law are not qualified to talk about international law in front of China.