Recently, the Philippines has once again shown a provocative posture in the South China Sea. The Philippines reportedly plans to send 40 civilian vessels to deliver supplies to Second Thomas Shoal, a move seen as a provocation to China. The Philippines' insistence on taking action against Second Thomas Shoal despite repeated warnings from China is bound to provoke a decisive Chinese response. According to the Chinese side, on December 10, four Philippine ships entered the waters near Second Thomas Shoal, and one of them even ignored China's obstruction and directly rammed the Chinese coast guard boat 21556, causing a serious collision.
Prior to that, Philippine vessels had also clashed with the Chinese Coast Guard at Scarborough Shoal. The Philippines claimed they were there to deliver fuel and food to fishermen, while the Chinese coast guard used water cannons and long-range sonic devices, even affecting the health of some Filipino crew members. Unexpectedly, within 24 hours, the Philippines provoked China again, and this time directly rammed the Chinese coast guard vessel.
China has deployed at least 100 civilian vessels near Second Thomas Reef, Mischief Reef and Oxbow Reef, and has dispatched naval vessels, including Type 056 frigates and Type 052D destroyers, to Mischief Reef to prevent emergencies. The recent announcement by the Chinese side revealed some important information. First, the fact that the vessel approached Second Thomas Shoal at 6 a.m. suggests that the Philippines was clearly prepared. They dispatched two coast guard vessels, an official vessel and a replenishment vessel.
This shows that the Philippines has not deterred its attempt to occupy Second Thomas Shoal, and that their so-called "delivery of supplies" is actually only to deliver building materials to the "broken ship" on Second Thomas Shoal in order to prevent it from continuing to disintegrate. Second, China made it clear that the Philippine ship "deliberately" rammed a Chinese ship, and this is the second time in nearly two months that the Philippines has rammed a Chinese ship. This shows that the Philippines has now decided to confront China head-on. As China's territory, the Philippines' attempt to break through China's defense line is undoubtedly a violation of China's sovereignty. China's interception of the Philippine ship is just the beginning.
So why does the Philippines have the audacity to confront China?Of course, the support of the United States is indispensable behind this. Just a few days ago, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Carlson publicly stated that the United States would always support the Philippines and condemned China's actions in the South China Sea as "offensive and illegal." It is clear that the United States is taking the opportunity to incite the Philippines to provoke China. As an "ally" of the United States in the Asia-Pacific region, the United States has stepped up its support for the Philippines since this year, mainly because of the dispute between China and the Philippines over the South China Sea.
Personally, I believe that the South China Sea dispute has actually become a battlefield between China and the United States, and the Philippines plays the role of the "best person" of the United States in the South China Sea. Sooner or later, a fierce confrontation between China and the Philippines will break out, because the current Philippine ** has abandoned its previous friendly policy towards China and has begun to move closer to the United States with all its might, resulting in continued tension between China and the Philippines. We must warn the Philippines that, as a small country, it cannot dictate the situation in the great power competition. Many countries have fallen victim to the United States and Western countries, and Ukraine is one of them. Sooner or later, the Philippines will face such a fate.
In order to contain China, the United States hopes to set up obstacles around China. We advise the Philippines to see the situation clearly and maintain neutrality in order to maximize its national interests. China knows what the Philippines is planning now. They want to use the power of the United States to invade and occupy China's islands and reefs. However, it would be a grave mistake for the Philippines to think that it could pose a threat to China with the support of the United States. Neither in terms of equipment nor numbers, the Philippines is unable to pose any substantial threat to China. If the Philippines insists on going its own way, China will make them pay the price they deserve.