The Philippines' recent increasingly aggressive actions in the South China Sea show a sense of urgency and eagerness. Since last week, the Philippines has escalated its provocative activities in the South China Sea. Philippines**During his visit to Hawaii, Marcos Jr. said the Philippines had begun to engage privately with Malaysia and Vietnam in hopes of agreeing on a "code of conduct in the South China Sea" that would exclude China. This was followed by a three-day joint naval and air exercise in the waters of the South China Sea between the Philippines and the United States, followed by the first "joint counterterrorism patrol" with Australia, which was still conducted in the South China Sea. However, the Philippines' actions in the South China Sea did not go as they wished.
The Philippines decided to use civilian fishing boats to form a "Christmas Convoy" in disputed waters to deliver supplies to the Sierra Madre stranded on Second Thomas Shoal. The Philippines has also vowed to rally more countries to participate in the South China Sea operation and accelerate the promotion of cooperation with JapanMilitaryCooperation, and strive to reach an agreement on the opening of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces as soon as possibleMilitaryA "reciprocal access agreement" for the base.
However, the Philippine actions in the South China Sea have not had the desired effect. China responded immediately to the Philippines' provocations, with the People's Liberation Army announcing live-fire Xi in the waters of the South China Sea and blockading the waters. Chinese attack aircraft flew around the surface forces of the Philippines and Australia, much to the annoyance of the Philippines. The Philippines' attempt to co-opt the United States and Australia in order to develop so-called "collective deterrence" has ultimately exposed the fact that no matter how many countries join in the South China Sea, it will ultimately bring humiliation upon itself.
The Philippines tried to woo Malaysia and Vietnam over the South China Sea, but neither country accepted the Philippine proposal. For example, the Philippines' Nov. 20 proposal has not yet received a response, much to Marcos Jr.'s embarrassment. ASEAN countries are not accustomed to what the Philippines has done, and ASEAN has always wanted to become a pawn in the game of great powers, nor does it want the South China Sea to become a battlefield for war. The Philippines' open stand for confrontation with China has aroused the dissatisfaction of many countries, and ASEAN countries have their own small calculations. The Philippine move disrupted ASEAN's original plan to monopolize U.S. and Japanese aid.
The Philippines has tried to rally more countries to participate in the South China Sea operation, but this is nothing new. The Philippine military said in September that Germany, France and Canada were also interested in participating in the South China Sea. However, in this South China Sea operation, other countries than the United States and Australia did not actively respond to the Philippines' call. In this South China Sea operation, the Philippines' actions will only escalate the situation and make the South China Sea more tense.
In conclusion, the Philippines' actions in the South China Sea are radical and unwise. They are trying to do so by co-opting other countries and conductingMilitaryXi to show his tough stance has only attracted greater countermeasures from China. The Philippines should abandon unilateral actions and engage in dialogue and compromise with China to find a peaceful solution to the South China Sea dispute. Only through diplomatic means can regional peace and stability be truly maintained.