Since the beginning of this year, the Philippines has been taking a provocative attitude towards China on the South China Sea issue, especially after the visit of the US Secretary of Defense to the Philippines. However, during the Sino-US summit, the attitude of the Philippines suddenly changed, and Marcos Jr. publicly stated that the Philippines has been maintaining peace in the South China Sea and is now preparing to meet with Chinese leaders to solve the problem in person. The change was seen as a "détente measure," and some even speculated that Marcos Jr.'s actions toward China would come to an end.
However, although the Philippines temporarily released a signal of dialogue with China, after that, the United States still carried out operations in the South China Sea, prompting Australia to launch the so-called "South China Sea Joint Patrol" operation on the 25th, and the Philippines also sent ** to participate. At the end of the cruise, Philippine Defense Secretary Teodoro claimed that they were "being monitored by the medium-sized aircraft", which was obviously a back-and-forth rake. In addition, the Philippine Department of Defense has begun to comment on China, claiming that China is hindering the survival of future generations of the Philippines, so the Philippines needs to build a strong self-defense system to deal with China's territorial claims. Teodoro also said that in the future, the Philippines will strengthen its defenses, including expanding the range of multilateral patrols and allowing Americans to enter some military bases.
The Philippines' turnaround is uncertain, and its follow-up suggests that they are likely to continue to engage in provocative actions and create friction. Although Duterte's supporters believe that China is the largest partner and investor in the Philippines, economic and trade cooperation between the two countries has promoted the growth of the Philippine economy, and cooperation should be based on peace. But since Marcos Jr. decided to make an urgent statement on China, the Philippines has turned a blind eye to China-Philippines relations.
Not only that, China also issued a statement on the 27th, accusing the Philippines of enlisting foreign forces to disrupt the South China Sea, undermine regional peace and stability, and violate the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. China pledged to remain highly vigilant, resolutely defend national sovereignty, security and maritime rights and interests, and resolutely safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea. Some commentators believe that how much benefit can Marcos Jr. gain in the end by turning to the United States? The United States has not paid attention to the Philippines for decades, and now it is returning to the Philippines to make it the next Ukraine?
The Philippines' changing attitude towards the South China Sea has always felt unpredictable. On the one hand, they expressed their willingness to dialogue with China and hope to solve the problem through negotiations. But on the other hand, they have resorted to provocative actions and even cooperated with the United States to suppress China. This ambivalence makes it difficult for the Philippines to act and creates great uncertainty for stability in the South China Sea.
As a self-editor, I am acutely aware of the complexity and interactivity of today's international relations. The Philippines' actions underscore its vacillation on the international stage, while also reflecting the U.S. leadership and influence in the South China Sea. In the face of the Philippines' rapid change of face and "offensive strategy", China should remain calm and firm, resolutely defend its territorial and maritime rights and interests, and continue to promote efforts to peacefully resolve disputes in the South China Sea. Only through dialogue and cooperation can peace and stability in the South China Sea be finally achieved.