On November 16, the 10th ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus was held in Indonesia. What was supposed to be a meeting to discuss "peace, prosperity and security" was messed up by US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. At the meeting, he not only talked about arms sales to Taiwan, but also issued a joint statement with Philippine Defense Secretary Teodoro, making unreasonable accusations against China's legitimate rights protection actions in the South China Sea. This is a premeditated provocation by the United States and the Philippines in the South China Sea, with the aim of using the power of the United States to put pressure on China to make concessions on the Ren'ai Jiao issue. However, this provocation has not only not been responded to by China, but has provoked a strong response from China. At a press conference on November 30, Senior Colonel Wu Qian, spokesman for China's Ministry of National Defense, sternly refuted the statement of the United States and the Philippines and said that the squadron would take strong measures to defend national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. China's attitude is clear, it doesn't want to cause trouble, but it is not afraid of it, if the United States and the Philippines do not know how to rein, China will not hesitate to take action!
Why are the United States and the Philippines provoking in the South China Sea? In fact, this is a psychological imbalance on their part. On the one hand, they see that China's power in the South China Sea is growing, and it firmly upholds its sovereignty and jurisdiction over the Nansha Islands and adjacent waters, and does not allow any interference or encroachment by foreign forces. On the other hand, they also see that China and ASEAN countries are getting closer and closer, and promote peace, stability and common development in the South China Sea through dialogue, consultation and practical cooperation. This has made the United States and the Philippines feel tremendous pressure and crisis, and they fear that their interests and influence in the South China Sea will be weakened or even marginalized. Therefore, they want to achieve their own goals by provoking China, creating incidents, and destabilizing the situation in the South China Sea.
What is the purpose of the United States and the Philippines? In fact, their purpose is very simple, that is, they want to take advantage of the South China Sea. The Philippines wants to use the power of the United States to forcibly board the illegal "beaching" on the reef that is about to sink to repair it and prolong its life, so as to maintain its illegal existence. The United States wants to use the power of the Philippines to break the cooperation and dialogue between China and ASEAN countries in the South China Sea, undermine China's stability and development in the South China Sea, and maintain US hegemony and interference in the South China Sea. This is the real purpose of the United States and the Philippines, and it is also their biggest mistake.
Why is this their biggest mistake? Because they underestimated China's determination and ability, and overestimated their own strength and influence. They thought that China would back down because of their provocations, or be afraid of their alliance, but this was their wishful thinking. China's sovereignty, rights and interests in the South China Sea are China's core interests and China's bottom line, which brook no challenge or infringement. China has sufficient determination and capability to resolutely counter and respond to any provocation or threat from any quarter. China also has sufficient wisdom and means to maintain good communication and cooperation with ASEAN countries to jointly safeguard peace and prosperity in the South China Sea. If the United States and the Philippines do not understand this, they can only ask for their own hardships and suffer the consequences.
If the United States and the Philippines continue to provoke in the South China Sea, what will China do? In fact, China's approach is very simple, that is, to respond to the actions of the United States and the Philippines in accordance with international law and basic norms governing international relations. China will not take the initiative to provoke incidents, but it will not passively endure abuses. China will not act lightly, but it will not tolerate it indefinitely. China will not ignore the existence of the United States and the Philippines, but it will also not pander to the wishes of the United States and the Philippines. China will take appropriate measures to protect its own interests, maintain order in the South China Sea, and promote cooperation in the South China Sea in light of changes in the situation. If the United States and the Philippines are not interested and do not know how to restrain themselves, China will not hesitate to take action and teach them a lesson, let them know that China is not easy to mess with, the South China Sea is not their playground, and provoking China can only bring about its own destruction!