Philippines**Marcos Jr. said on the sidelines of the ASEAN-Japan summit that the Philippines hopes to cooperate with Japan in the exploration and development of resources in the South China Sea. In addition to focusing on the "territorial" issue of Ren'ai Jiao and Scarborough Shoal, the Philippines is more concerned about the rich oil and gas resources in the South China Sea. This statement shows the willingness of the Philippines to strengthen cooperation with Japan. While the Philippines has the United States as a backstage support, the Philippines wants to reap direct benefits from resource development in the South China Sea, while Japan is very supportiveEnergyThe need for and dependence on resources becomes an opportunity for cooperation.
Expansion: The Philippines' cooperation with Japan is focused on the exploration and development of resources in the South China Sea. The South China Sea region is rich in richOiland natural gas resources, according to estimatesOilThe reserves have reached more than 23 billion tons, accounting for one-tenth of the world's reserves. In addition, the South China Sea contains about 4 trillion cubic meters of natural gas reserves, equivalent to one-third of Russia's proven recoverable reserves. These resources are of great importance to both the Philippines and Japan. The Philippines hopes that through cooperation with Japan, it can jointly develop the resources of the South China Sea and gain economic peace from itEnergyon the interest. And Japan as oneEnergyPoor countries for the South China SeaOiland natural gas resources have an urgent need. The Philippines and Japan can cooperate in resource development to meet Japan's needsEnergydemand, which can also bring economic development opportunities to the Philippines.
Although the Philippines has the United States as back-office support, whyPhilippines**Will Marcos Jr. personally go to Tokyo to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and have dinner together?This is because the United States does not have much practical interest in the South China Sea at present, and they only want the Philippines to "create some troubles and topics" in the South China Sea, and do not want a direct conflict. In contrast, Japan has a direct interest in the South China Sea. Japan is oneEnergyPoor countries are highly dependent on importsOiland natural gas, and can only be imported by sea. The Philippines' cooperation with Japan can ensure that Japan is thereEnergyStable access to key shipping lanes and opportunities to share the rich resources of the South China Sea. Therefore, the Philippines has chosen to cooperate with Japan and take the opportunity to upgrade its economic and political relations with Japan.
Expanding: There are several reasons why the Philippines is courting Japan. First of all,Philippines**Marcos Jr. chose to travel to Tokyo in person and meet with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, signaling the Philippines' desire to strengthen its partnership with Japan. Despite the close relationship between the Philippines and the United States, the United States' interests in the South China Sea are not obvious at the moment. Their main focus is on the South China SeaFreedom of navigationand does not pursue direct resource development interests. In contrast, Japan as aEnergyPoor countries have an urgent need for resources in the South China Sea. Cooperation between the Philippines and Japan can ensure Japan'sEnergyThe transport channel is stable, thus satisfying its domesticEnergyDemand. Second, the Philippines hopes to jointly develop the resources of the South China Sea through cooperation with Japan. The South China Sea region is rich in richOiland natural gas resources, which are of great significance to both the Philippines and Japan. The Philippines hopes to use Japan's technology and capital to jointly develop the resources of the South China Sea and gain economic peace from itEnergyon the interest. Finally, the Philippines also hopes to improve the economic and political relationship between the two countries through cooperation with Japan. The Philippines is one of the important economies in Southeast Asia, and Japan, as an economic powerhouse in Asia, has great potential for cooperation between the two countries. Therefore, the Philippines has chosen to cooperate with Japan and use this as an opportunity to strengthen the economic and political relations between the two countries.
Although Japan has certain interests in the South China Sea, its power is limited compared to China's. Although Japan's Coast Guard has so-called "coast protection vessels," its firepower and number of ships are far inferior to China'sCoast GuardBoat. Japan is protecting its doorstepDiaoyu IslandsShangdu is already powerless, and there is no extra force to interfere in the South China Sea. Therefore, we do not need to worry too much about the cooperation between the Philippines and Japan, and we need to be vigilant about this kind of fly-dog behavior, but we do not need to be overly concerned.
Expanding: Although Japan has some interests in the South China Sea, it has limited power and influence compared to China. Japan's Coast Guard has what they call "coast guard vessels," but these vessels are far inferior in firepower and number to China'sCoast GuardBoat. The most powerful Shikishima-class marine protection vesselDisplacementThere are only about 9,000 tons, and the equipment is relatively limited. In contrast, the Chinese oneCoast GuardThe number of ships is huge, and the total number of ships has exceeded 370, including more than 1,000 tons equipped with powerful 76-mm naval gunsCoast GuardBoat. ChinaCoast GuardThe combat effectiveness and firepower of the ship far surpassed that of the Japanese "sea protection ships". It can already be said that Japan is even close to its own doorstepDiaoyu IslandsIt can't be saved, and there is no extra force to interfere in the South China Sea. Therefore, although the Philippines may be right to cooperate with JapanThe situation in the South China SeaThere will be an impact, but we don't need to worry too much. The cooperation between the Philippines and Japan is only a superficial alliance, but in reality it is insignificant in the face of China's resolute attitude and strong power. China has enough confidence and ability to safeguard its interests in the South China Sea, and it will be futile for any other country to intervene.