Recently, there have been some changes regarding our activities at Second Thomas Shoal. On 10 December, Philippine vessels intruded into Second Thomas Shoal, and our country was able to control their plan of action in a timely manner. However, according to satellite** and foreign media reports, it seems that not all of our ships have withdrawn from Ren'ai Jiao. On December 11, 11 Chinese ships entered the lagoon, and on the 14th, it was reported that a Chinese civilian vessel had been spotted. These are indications that our activities on Second Thomas Shoal have become unusual. The characteristics of the lagoon topography and the situation inside and outside the lagoon may be one of the reasons why Chinese ships have entered the reef twice in a row. So, what does it mean to be in the lagoon so often?There have been various speculations about this situation. Some experts believe that this may be an attempt to further strengthen and consolidate control over Second Thomas Shoal. Is that really the case?
Also, what is the situation inside and outside the lagoon of Second Thomas Reef?How does the topography of the lagoon affect our country's operations?To get a deeper understanding of this, let's break it down. Second Thomas Reef, located in the South China Sea, is a lagoon of Mischief Reef. The topography of a lagoon is when the waves move towards the shore and the sediment accumulates parallel to the shore, forming an offshore dam that rises above the sea level. This topography divides the seawater, with the ocean on the outside and semi-enclosed or fully enclosed on the inside. The situation in and around the lagoon can change due to the action of the currents. What is the purpose of the frequent entry of Chinese ships into the lagoon of Ren'ai Jiao?First, some experts believe that this may be an attempt to further strengthen and consolidate control over Second Thomas Shoal.
According to the analysis, Ren'ai Jiao is located in an important strategic position in the South China Sea, so consolidating control over the reef is of great strategic significance to China in the South China Sea. In addition, the characteristics of the lagoon's topography and the conditions inside and outside the lagoon may also be one of the reasons for the frequent entry of boats in our country. The lagoon topography of Second Thomas Reef is a semi-enclosed body of water, which can provide some cover and protection for Chinese vessels, and is conducive to carrying out related activities. In addition, due to the special topography and the effect of sediment on the seabed, the topography of the lagoon may change to provide more convenience for our ships. From these perspectives, it is understandable that our ships frequently enter the lagoon. However, there have also been various speculations about the frequent entry of Chinese ships into the lagoon at Ren'ai Jiao. Some believe that this act could escalate tensions in the South China Sea, while others question Japan's intentions.
In this context, what kind of considerations does our country have?What impact will China's actions have on the situation in the South China Sea?These are all questions that require in-depth thinking and analysis. In short, the lagoon topography of Second Thomas Reef has a certain impact on the activities of Chinese ships. The frequent entry of Chinese vessels into the lagoon may be to strengthen and consolidate the control of the reef, or it may be affected by the topographical characteristics of the lagoon. China's actions will inevitably have a certain impact on the situation in the South China Sea. In the face of this situation, we need to be fully prepared, conduct in-depth analysis, and respond in a timely manner. The South China Sea has been the focus of international attention, and the recent frenzied actions of the Philippines in the Spratly Islands, especially the escalating ambitions and plans for Second Thomas Shoal, have prompted China to strengthen its presence in the relevant waters.
Although Mischief Reef is about 38 kilometers from Second Thomas Reef, the presence of Chinese ships at Second Thomas Reef is also a deterrent. Some people suspect that the Chinese vessels found on the 11th and 14th are just normal fishing boats fishing nearby, but as China's waters and islands, no one can say what the Chinese fishing boats are doing. Most interestingly, the formation of the lagoon provides a natural advantage for island reclamation, and the current Philippine activities near Second Thomas Shoal may also be in preparation for larger projects to follow. In the direction of the Nansha Islands, China already has three artificial islands and reefs, which are located in the northwest, southwest and hinterland of the Nansha Islands, forming a triangle. If China does want to reclaim the islands at Second Thomas Shoal, Mischief Reef to the northwest can play a corresponding role.
However, the Philippines, under its own ambitions and at the instigation of the United States, has been making frequent provocations in the waters near Second Thomas Shoal, and this change in the objective situation has led to the rapid improvement of the strategic position of Second Thomas Shoal. In addition to topographical considerations, there are also many political factors between countries, so the importance of Ren'ai Jiao in future disputes in the South China Sea is bound to increase. Although China's actions in the Spratly Islands region have been criticized in some ways, we must rely on our own strength to protect our territory and maritime areas and safeguard our national dignity and interests, and this presence and deployment can also effectively curb the ambitions and provocations of the Philippines. In the future, China must maintain a high degree of vigilance, insist on safeguarding its own interests through diplomacy and struggle, and play an important role in achieving peace and stability in the South China Sea.
Artificial Islands and Reefs – The Miracle of the Future Coral IslandWhen artificial islands and reefs operate on the future Second Thomas Shoal, the Philippines will say goodbye to this sea forever. As the de facto control of the Spratly Islands extends eastward, the Spratly islands and reefs such as Oxwheel Reef and Xianbin Reef will also benefit. However, if the Philippines continues to provoke Ren'ai Jiao, it will only provoke our country to take tougher countermeasures and accelerate the pace of the Philippines' withdrawal from Ren'ai Jiao. Located in the Spratly Islands, Second Thomas Shoal is a highly disputed place. China has always insisted on sovereignty, while the Philippines has questioned it. However, with technological advances and courageous decisions, China is expected to turn the reef into an artificial reef and an important stronghold in the South China Sea. First of all, the construction of artificial islands and reefs will give China a huge strategic advantage. The Spratly Islands are an important part of China's presence in the South China Sea, and control of the Spratly Islands means control of the entrance to the South China Sea.
The artificial reefs at Second Thomas Shoal mean that China's de facto control will expand further eastward, making China's maritime power in the South China Sea even stronger. This will provide a strong guarantee for China to maintain stability and security in the South China Sea. Second, the construction of artificial islands and reefs will also play a positive role in promoting the development of other islands and reefs in the Nansha Islands. Nansha Islands are rich in natural resources and ecological environment, but due to their remote geographical location and inconvenient transportation, their development and utilization have been restricted. With artificial islands and reefs, there will be more opportunities and possibilities for the economic development of the Nansha Islands and promote the prosperity and progress of the islands and reefs. However, the Philippines' provocative behavior could become a major obstacle to the development of the Spratly Islands. The Philippines has frequently carried out provocations against Ren'ai Jiao in an attempt to encroach on China's territory. But the Philippines should be clear that any provocation against China will be met with a resolute response.
China has made it clear that safeguarding the territorial integrity of the Spratly Islands is unshakable and that any violation of international law and rules will be severely sanctioned. China does not want to enter into conflict with the Philippines, but we will not tolerate any encroachment on our territory. The Philippines should reflect on its actions, stop provocations against Ren'ai Jiao, coexist peacefully with China, and jointly create peace and stability in the South China Sea. Historically, China has always adhered to the principle of peaceful development and is committed to establishing friendly and cooperative relations with its neighbors. At the same time, however, we have resolutely defended our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. The construction of artificial islands and reefs is not only China's need to maintain the islands, but also China's responsibility and commitment to the development of the Nansha Islands. Only by settling disputes in a peaceful and stable manner can we achieve common prosperity and development in the region.
The implementation of artificial islands and reefs will bring new development opportunities to the Nansha Islands and provide a more solid guarantee for peace and stability in the South China Sea. China is willing to work with its neighbors to build a peaceful, stable and prosperous South China Sea. Let us jointly call on the Philippines to respect international law and rules, stop its provocative acts against Second Thomas Shoal, and contribute to regional peace and stabilityReference: South China Sea issue***