According to the latest news, the Philippines has recently shown a subtle change in handling the dispute between China and the Philippines over islands and reefs in the South China Sea. According to reports, during a phone call, China's chief Wang Yi issued two very stern warnings. First of all, he said that China-Philippines relations are currently at a crossroads, and the future development depends entirely on the Philippines, and stressed that the Philippines must handle this matter carefully. The word "must" in these words is very heavy, and it can be described as the final warning to the Philippines. Second, Wang Yi pointed out that if the Philippines misjudges the situation, colludes with foreign forces on the issue of islands and reefs in the South China Sea, and continues to incite the situation in the South China Sea, China will resolutely respond. This statement is a straightforward statement, warning that if the Philippines continues to provoke, China will not only retaliate, but also increase its efforts. Summarizing the content of these two sentences, the focus is on the positive and negative aspects, emphasizing the hope that the Philippines can resolve the issue of disputes over islands and reefs in the South China Sea through dialogue.
However, if the Philippines insists on provocation and continues to stir up trouble in the South China Sea with the United States, Japan, Australia and other countries, China will also respond with thunderous means, and the Philippines must bear the consequences. This is the reality of the choice that the Philippines needs to make. In this regard, Philippine Foreign Minister Manaro also clearly felt China's warning, and expressed the hope that the two sides can manage their differences, promote the de-escalation of the situation in the South China Sea, avoid the outbreak of conflict, and resolve the dispute in a way acceptable to both sides. Manaro's remarks show a change in the Philippines' attitude on the issue of the dispute between China and the Philippines over islands and reefs in the South China Sea. The inconsistency in the attitude of the Philippines in handling the dispute between China and the Philippines over islands and reefs in the South China Sea raises doubts. Marcos Jr. and his position on this issue do not seem to be consistent.
Marcos Jr. was invited to the Japan-ASEAN summit on December 17 and said in an interview with reporters that the Philippines needs to remain cautious in handling the dispute over islands and reefs in the South China Sea between China and the Philippines and avoid overreacting or making mistakes that could lead to miscalculation. He stressed that the Philippines** prefers to resolve disputes through dialogue and negotiation rather than relying on conflict. However, just a day later, in an interview with foreign media during the summit, Marcos Jr. changed his tune and blamed China for the dispute between China and the Philippines over islands and reefs in the South China Sea, saying that the development of Sino-Philippine relations had gone in the wrong direction. He asserted that the Philippines has tried to resolve the issue of islands and reefs in the South China Sea through diplomatic means in the past, but has not been effective, so it may need to take a tougher approach and strengthen its alliances with the United States and Japan. This stance is clearly inconsistent with the previous position of favoring dialogue and negotiation, and even shows a tendency to cooperate with external forces.
This inconsistent statement makes the true attitude of the Philippines ** open to debate. It may be more helpful to elaborate a more constructive and balanced perspective on international relations. I will reframe this text to convey a more egalitarian and cooperative attitude, while avoiding bitterly confrontational rhetoric. Before Marcos took office and during his visit to China, he said that he would freeze the results of the "South China Sea arbitration" and continue Duterte's position. Recently, however, Marcos** has repeatedly demanded that China abide by the so-called "South China Sea arbitration". Philippine Defense Secretary Teodoro said in an interview with Reuters that China claims that the dispute over islands and reefs in the South China Sea was provoked by the Philippines, but only the Philippines itself believes this statement. Therefore, the Philippines will match its words with deeds, and at the same time uphold the principle of not provoking trouble or fearing it, and resolutely safeguard its territorial and maritime rights and interests.
In the context of the game between China and the United States, the Philippines has leaned towards the United States, even to the extreme, so we should not expect much from it. As long as the Philippines dares to provoke, we will resolutely fight back, because we are convinced that "one punch will be opened, lest a hundred blows come".