As 2023 draws to a close, the South China Sea issue has entered a critical juncture. Recently, China published a document entitled "Essays on the Philippines", which lists in detail the "six major crimes" committed by the Philippines on the South China Sea issue, and encourages China's just actions to defend its rights in the South China Sea. The Philippine House of Representatives recently passed two resolutions that illegally blamed China's actions in the South China Sea, which triggered a response from Chinese spokesman Wang Wenbin. In his speech, he accurately and succinctly summarized the "six major crimes" of the Philippines, sending a warning to the world. Next, we will review these six crimes, understand the stories behind them, and also take a look at the development trends of the South China Sea issue.
After the end of Philippine colonial rule, China began to exercise sovereignty in the South China Sea. This is a right granted to China by thousands of years of history, and China has sufficient evidence and basis for its sovereignty, both from a historical perspective and from a legal point of view. Thanks to the efforts of former Duterte of China and the Philippines, China and the Philippines once reached a reconciliation and found a path to peaceful coexistence. However, after the incumbent Marcos of the Philippines came to power, the South China Sea issue has regressed, the differences between China and the Philippines have become increasingly acute, and peace and stability in the South China Sea have been seriously threatened.
China firmly does not accept the so-called "South China Sea Arbitration" and does not accept claims and actions based on the illegal award. From the very beginning, this so-called arbitration case was a play arranged by the United States, a means used by the United States to contain China in the first island chain region. The Philippines has been colluding with the United States and other external forces through the "South China Sea Arbitration" to make the South China Sea issue an international hot spot. Ignoring the calls for peace and common prosperity of countries in the region, the Philippines maliciously interferes with China's normal activities, disrupts the situation in the South China Sea, and brings serious instability to the South China Sea region.
China's construction of defense facilities, scientific research activities and patrols in the Spratly Islands are all lawful and reasonable actions. Chinese fishermen have no problem at all in carrying out legitimate and legal fishery production in their own waters. However, the Philippines ignored this fact and deliberately "rubbed" the Chinese vessel twice, one of which caused a Philippine coast guard vessel to collide with a Chinese fishing boat. It is extremely irresponsible for the Philippines to maliciously interfere with China's normal activities and threaten the safety of the lives and property of Chinese fishermen.
The Philippines has attempted to illegally occupy China's Ren'ai Jiao for a long time by strengthening its "beaching"**, and has frequently sent ships to illegally intrude into China's adjacent waters, thus seriously violating China's sovereignty. The China Coast Guard has taken necessary measures in accordance with the law to firmly safeguard its sovereignty, but the Philippines has unreasonably accused and distorted China's legitimate behavior, which is neither benevolent nor shameless.
China's off-season fishing moratorium in the South China Sea is intended to protect living marine resources, but the Philippines has illegally entered Chinese waters to fish and criticized China's fishing moratorium. Such actions do not respect China's sovereignty or China's efforts to maintain ecological balance in the South China Sea.
Recently, the Philippines has also launched attacks on China's Nansha islands and reefs, such as Scarborough Shoal and Tiexian Reef, which have seriously jeopardized China's security and peace and stability in the South China Sea. China has made solemn representations to the Philippines on many occasions and submitted a note, but the Philippines continues to act arbitrarily and recklessly in disregard of China's opposition and this kind of behavior not only disrespects China, nor does it respect peace and stability, but also takes the initiative to introduce threats against China from the United States, Japan, Australia and other countries.
The Philippines' behavior on the South China Sea issue is a disregard for and provocation against China, which poses a serious threat to peace and stability in the South China Sea. China is firmly determined to safeguard its rights and interests on the South China Sea issue and will continue to take all necessary measures to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea. The South China Sea issue is by no means a unilateral issue, and requires the joint efforts of all parties to resolve disputes through dialogue and cooperation. It is hoped that the Philippines will have a clear understanding of the situation, return to the track of friendship and cooperation with China, and make positive contributions to the settlement of the South China Sea issue.
The South China Sea issue involves the interests and concerns of many countries, and we should treat it in a calm and rational manner. It is only through dialogue and cooperation that the best solution can be found to achieve peace and stability in the South China Sea. We all want to see a harmonious and prosperous South China Sea, which requires every country to understand and respect each other's legitimate rights and interests. Let us work together to contribute to the realization of lasting peace and prosperity in the South China Sea.