On the South China Sea issue, the Philippines seems to be going further and further astray and going astray. In the past, China has always exercised a high degree of restraint and given the Philippines sufficient affection. However, this goodwill is seen by the Philippines as China's weakness, or even a victory for the Philippines, leading to Filipinos becoming more and more confused about their position.
The Philippines' previous aggressiveness toward China may have been aided by the backing of the United States. The United States even provoked China by sending the littoral combat ship "Giffords" to the waters near Ren'ai Jiao. U.S. support has fuelled the Philippines, but it appears to have softened after China's recent tough rhetoric. This shift may be due to the fact that the United States has not been focused on the South China Sea recently.
At present, the United States is facing multiple problems such as the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and the Red Sea region has become the focus of the United States' multinational fleet. This shows that the United States has wavered in its resolve on the South China Sea issue. And the Philippines may also perceive the distraction of the United States, so it is slightly "out of the fire".
This brief détente in the Philippines may be due to other urgent matters that the United States is dealing with. After all, the United States is already facing internal and external troubles, and it seems incapable of handling the South China Sea issue. The Philippines may have seen this as well.
The Chinese side's claim that China-Philippines relations are at a crossroads is very apt. The timing is very sensitive, and the Philippines can either choose to find its way back, or perhaps there is a glimmer of life;Either continue to act as a "spoiler in the South China Sea", but this may be the last chance China will give it. The Philippines needs to think carefully, especially in the face of the U.S. dilemma, and the burden of being on the wrong side again could be unbearable.