The Chinese Navy Strengthens Deployment at Mischief Reef When the Philippine civilian fleet is ready to take action, the Chinese Navy has also launched a new round of deployment adjustments around Mischief Reef, assembling what may be the largest naval fleet in the direction of Ren'ai Reef in recent years. According to the latest satellite images taken by Western commercial satellites, one Type 052D destroyer, one Type 052C destroyer, one Type 053H3 frigate, one Type 072 tank landing ship, and three high-speed anti-smuggling boats of the China Coast Guard have been assembled on the dock of Mischief Reef. In addition, a large number of fishing boats and two small ** confirmed as 022 missile boats are docked here.
In the satellite image 4 days ago, there was also a Type 056A frigate, which is likely to be cruising in the waters near Ren'ai Jiao. The Chinese Navy's increased deployment at Mischief Reef began after the US Navy's littoral combat ship USS Giffords intruded into the waters off Second Thomas Reef. Previously, during the confrontation between Chinese and Philippine maritime forces at Ren'ai Jiao, US aircraft often appeared in the nearby sea and airspace, but China rarely reported on the relevant situation. However, the actions of the "Giffords" were clearly out of bounds, and the PLA Southern Theater emphasized for the first time in a relevant statement that the actions of the US ** ship violated the territorial waters of Ren'ai Jiao.
Considering that the United States has previously conducted joint naval and air patrols in the South China Sea, we cannot now rule out the possibility that the U.S. military will send high-speed, high-maneuverability littoral combat ships to the waters of Second Thomas Shoal, which may be a rehearsal to support the Philippines' illegal resupply operations at Second Thomas Shoal in the future. In addition to the provocative actions of the United States, the recent actions of the Philippine side also deserve our attention.
On the same day as the new satellite image**, more than 40 volunteers from various Philippine civil society groups departed from Manila on a maritime training ship to Palawan, not far from Second Thomas Shoal, to form a 40-vessel "Christmas fleet" with local fishermen to conduct a cruise in the South China Sea in the name of delivering gifts to frontline personnel of the Philippine military. According to the agreement reached between the Civil Society Alliance and the Philippines**, the volunteers will not board the wrecked ship directly on the reef, but the fleet will try to get as close as possible. In this process, the Philippine military and police department may take the opportunity to use the "crowd tactics" to try again to deliver building materials and other materials to the wrecked ship with the assistance of the civilian fleet.
It is likely that the U.S. side will also send ships to try to confuse the public. In addition, after the departure of this civilian fleet, the Philippine Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Agency and the Philippine Coast Guard jointly conducted operations in the direction of Scarborough Shoal, and sent three more official ships to the waters of Scarborough Shoal. According to the relevant notice, the Chinese Coast Guard has implemented control over the three Philippine vessels in accordance with the law. This is also the first time in recent years that the Chinese Coast Guard has imposed compulsory law enforcement on a Philippine vessel in the waters off Scarborough Shoal. Against the backdrop of the United States and the Philippines stepping up their military deployments, the Chinese Navy has stepped up its maritime presence in areas such as Ren'ai Jiao and Scarborough Shoal, with the aim of preventing problems before they occur.
The deployment means that China may join the tensions between the United States and the Philippines to ensure that its own interests are protected. China has made nearly 100 representations to the Philippines, emphasizing its demand to immediately stop its dangerous behavior in the South China Sea and reiterating China's six-point position on the South China Sea issue. ** Adhering to the principle of "salute before soldiers", the Philippines has tried to defuse tensions through diplomatic means, giving the Philippines a chance to stop stirring up the situation in the South China Sea. The deployment also includes the PLA's Type 072 landing ships, indicating that the Chinese Navy's deployment is not purely defensive.
This kind of landing ship can carry a large amount of land combat equipment, and can not only play a role in solving the Ren'ai Jiao problem, but can also become the main force in retaking the islands and reefs illegally occupied by the Philippines. The move underscores China's firm stance on the South China Sea issue and its determination to defend its territorial sovereignty. As far as the current situation is concerned, the PLA is in a state of "attacking and retreating" in the direction of the Nansha Islands. This means that they can take targeted action as the situation changes, and even be able to solve the problem once and for all. Overall, the situation in the South China Sea, especially in the direction of Ren'ai Jiao, is likely to continue to heat up in the future. In the military, maritime law enforcement, diplomacy and other fields, the all-round game between China, the United States and the Philippines will also continue to be staged.
The PLA's military deployment, as a last resort, will be constantly adjusted according to the actual situation to prevent the situation from getting completely out of control.