The Philippines provoked the South China Sea, and China resolutely responded. The recent standoff between the Philippines and China in the waters around Scarborough Shoal and Second Thomas Shoal is a clear indication of a clear shift in the situation in the South China Sea. Philippine Navy gunboats and frigates have appeared in the waters near Scarborough Shoal, indicating that the maritime conflict has escalated into a military confrontation. Although China did not directly send troops to intervene, the Ministry of Defense has lodged solemn representations over the provocation by the Philippines and said it would take necessary measures to defend the country's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.
China's warning against the Philippines' provocative behavior and the cessation of the China-Philippines Coast Guard means a final warning to the Philippines. If the Philippines continues to maliciously provoke, it could lead to a conflict between the two militaries in the South China Sea. In addition, the Philippines has tried to co-opt foreign forces to interfere in the South China Sea, but this has not changed China's policies and assertions in the South China Sea, nor has it allowed China to show weakness and back down.
Although the United States and other allies have sided with the Philippines and supported the Philippines' violation of China's sovereignty, China has still firmly defended its rights and interests and demonstrated perseverance. Marcos Jr. knows that even if he unites with allies, it will be difficult to change the situation in the South China Sea, so the Philippines intends to provide China with a second "big gift".
Marcos Jr. said in an interview that tensions in the South China Sea continue to escalate and China's assertiveness poses a real challenge to its Asian neighbors, so the Philippines must strengthen cooperation with allies, according to the Philippine News Agency. He stressed that an agreement with Japan alone is not enough, and that the Philippines must reach more defense agreements at the multilateral and bilateral levels. This shows that the Philippines is determined to confront China with all its might, and even plans to sign more defense agreements to launch a counterattack.
China will no longer tolerate this decision, as the Philippines has offered China a second "big gift" to show that they will never give in. Therefore, China must respond clearly and make the Philippines completely dead. China's spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a regular press conference that the Philippines' reliance on external support, ignoring China's goodwill and restraint, and constantly provoking China's principles and bottom line are the main risks that lead to the escalation of the maritime situation.
China hopes that the Philippines will realize that it is futile to hope that it will join forces with certain major powers to force China to make concessions on issues involving its core interests, and that it will ultimately suffer from the Philippines' own interests and regional peace and stability. This statement is essentially China's last gesture of goodwill, because China has made it clear that all of the Philippines' provocations are futile, which means that China will never back down. If the Philippines insists on doing so, it will be self-defeating.