Recently, the South China Sea has once again become the focus of global attention, with China and the Philippines going toe-to-toe, and the situation at Second Thomas Shoal has been tense for a while.
However, there is a ** report that paints a picture that subverts the facts, claiming that the Chinese coast guard launched an unprovoked attack on a Philippine ship, is this really the truth?
Here, let's reveal the essence of events, understand the complex interactions and possible future directions through independent analysis and objective perspectives.
The scene released by the Philippine side**.
On the morning of December 10, the Chinese Coast Guard announced that the Philippines had sent four ships to attempt to force their way into Second Thomas Shoal and deliver construction materials to one of them, the Philippines, which had run aground illegally.
Subsequently, Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Jay Tariera posted a series of live ** and ** on social networks in an attempt to create a false image of the Chinese Coast Guard committing rude behavior against Philippine ships at Second Thomas Shoal.
Despite careful scrutiny, these **and** failed to support Tariella's assertions. On the contrary, we can clearly observe from the ** information released by them that the fishing vessel "Yunaza May" experienced a significant "steering wobble" in its stern when it was interfered with by the use of water cannons by Chinese coast guard vessels.
Earlier this year, the scene of the conflict between China and the Philippines at Scarborough Shoal.
At the same time, the China Coast Guard vessels are moving normally in accordance with the regulations of the waterway. This series of actions is more in line with China's interpretation that "the Philippine ship suddenly changed direction with unprofessional and dangerous maneuvers" rather than the Philippine side's claim that "a Chinese coast guard ship attacked a Philippine ship".
Of the many recent conflicts in the South China Sea, the Sino-Philippine conflict at Second Thomas Shoal appears to be the most intense. Up to 75 per cent of the vessels involved on the Philippine side suffered damage. China's decisive enforcement efforts have had a tremendous deterrent effect on fishermen in the Philippines.
After that, the Philippines announced again on the 11th that a "Christmas fleet" consisting of 40 fishing boats loaded with supplies had set off, the purpose of which was to provide supplies to ** illegally stranded on Ren'ai Jiao.
In response, when Chinese coast guard vessels used water cannons as a means of blocking them from approaching Second Thomas Shoal, Reuters reported that the fleet released information that 10 of the Filipino fishing boats had decided to abandon the operation and turn back.
The "Christmas flotilla", which has just departed, has already lost 10 ships.
Against the backdrop of the Philippines' two forced incursions into Second Thomas Shoal for two consecutive days, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Carlson also joined the war, accusing China of undermining regional stability and claiming that "the United States is with the Philippines." "This attitude shows that the United States is still agitating the Philippines to provoke in the South China Sea and may continue to support its adventurous actions in the South China Sea.
However, the reality is that any provocative actions by the Philippines in the South China Sea will be strongly countered by China. At the same time, the Philippines needs to be clear that its provocations will only further fuel China's resolve to strengthen its defenses and protect its territorial sovereignty.
Marcos and Biden.
U.S. presumptuous actions in the South China Sea would clearly lead to an escalation of tensions and spur the Philippines to take more aggressive steps in the region.
But the Philippines must recognize that they cannot simply dictate the situation in the South China Sea, especially given that they are merely a tool of the United States in the U.S.-China competition.
In the current global landscape, the Philippines' provocative actions against China will only lead to self-harm, and will not affect China's determination to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.
If the Philippines fails to recognize this and keeps trying to provoke and escalate the South China Sea dispute, they could gradually slip to a dangerous brink.
It's a risky gamble with the stakes for domestic stability and regional peace in the Philippines. In this regard, all parties in the world should maintain a sober mind and a prudent position.