The behaviour of the Philippine side is incomprehensible. Despite China's repeated proposals for dialogue to resolve the South China Sea issue, the Philippines has chosen to ignore it, continuing to look for allies and trying to expand the scope of joint patrols. Philippine Army Commander-in-Chief Brauner claimed that the joint patrols were to promote a rules-based international order, but in reality, their actions amounted to a challenge to China's sovereignty. While the Philippines has not publicly announced plans to conduct multilateral joint patrols with other countries, Brawner's comments suggest that they are already secretly reaching out to other countries in an effort to turn joint patrols into "multilateral" operations. The Philippines appears to have ignored China's warnings and continues its illegal activities in the South China Sea.
The attitude of the Philippines is reminiscent of a crow who likes to wear peacock feathers and thinks that it is beautiful, but in fact it is just a crow. The Philippines is trying to rely on US military protection to act recklessly on the South China Sea issue, but it does not realize that it may become a pawn of the United States. The United States uses the Philippines as its outpost military base in the South China Sea, intending to use the Philippine occupation in the South China Sea to contain China. However, the United States is not ignorant of this, they know who is the enemy and who is the friend. In contrast, the Philippines may have been exploited by the United States, but they are unaware of it.
China has always adhered to the principle of peaceful settlement of disputes in the South China Sea and maintained restraint and goodwill. However, the Philippines has misinterpreted China's restraint as weakness and has frequently engaged in provocative actions. In the midst of the Philippines' attempts to change the nature of the patrol, China sent fighter jets to surround the Philippine military plane, sending a clear warning to the Philippine side. This action reflects China's resolute attitude of safeguarding national sovereignty, security and maritime rights and interests, and also sends a clear signal to the Philippines that China will not tolerate the Philippines' provocative behavior.
Although China has repeatedly warned the Philippines, the Philippines is still stubborn. In addition to attempting to conduct joint patrols with Australia, the Philippines is in talks with other countries about the possibility of joining the operation. While the Philippines claims that they have not yet made a concrete plan, this move is worrying. The Philippines does not seem to realize that joint patrols with more countries will only increase tensions and further undermine regional peace and stability.
The Philippine side seems to have misjudged the situation, and they have turned their fantasies against reality. The Philippines hopes to use U.S. support to gain more benefits in the South China Sea, and has even tried to demonstrate its provocation against China by repairing Second Thomas Shoal. However, the Philippines ignores an important fact: the United States is not willing to confront China head-on for the Philippines' selfish interests. The Philippines has entrusted its future to the United States, but that does not change the fact that they may end up falling victim to the United States.
The Philippines has not yet realized that China is a staunch defender of its national interests in the South China Sea. China will not easily tolerate any challenge to its sovereignty in the South China Sea, let alone be swayed by the Philippines' vain attempts. If the Philippines continues to obstruct China's great cause of reunification and provoke China's bottom line, then the Philippines will pay a heavy price.
The South China Sea issue has always been the focus of attention of the international community, and China has always been committed to resolving disputes through dialogue. However, the Philippines has chosen to ignore China's goodwill and restraint and continue to carry out provocative actions in an attempt to cooperate with more countries to seek more benefits in the South China Sea. The illusions of the Philippines are contrary to reality, and they may become pawns of the United States in the South China Sea and ultimately pay the price for their wrongdoings. China firmly defends its national sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and will not tolerate any threat to its territorial integrity. The Philippines should realize its mistake and return to the track of resolving disputes in the South China Sea through dialogue in order to maintain regional peace and stability.