The South China Sea is an important maritime area in Southeast Asia, involving the territorial and maritime rights and interests of many countries. On this issue, both China and ASEAN countries advocate maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea through dialogue and consultation. However, in the past year, the Philippines has frequently carried out provocative and adventurous actions in the South China Sea, which not only undermined China's legitimate rights and interests, but also aggravated the situation in the South China Sea, causing concern and resentment among other ASEAN countries.
In order to express a common position on the South China Sea issue, ASEAN recently convened a meeting at the foreign ministers' level and issued a joint statement. The statement highlighted the following three points:
ASEAN adheres to international law, in particular the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Sea (UNCLOS), and is willing to resolve disputes in the South China Sea through peaceful means, such as diplomacy and negotiation, and opposes any use of force or threat of force.
ASEAN is concerned about the recent developments in the South China Sea that may endanger the peace, security and stability of the region, and calls on all parties to exercise restraint, refrain from actions that may exacerbate tensions, and restore and enhance mutual trust.
ASEAN is committed to the implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and looks forward to the completion of an effective and binding Code of Conduct in the South China Sea as soon as possible.
Although this statement does not explicitly mention the Philippines, it is actually a warning and an urge to the Philippines. The other nine ASEAN countries have seen clearly the true intention of the Philippines, which is to use the South China Sea issue to win over the United States and other extraterritorial forces to confront China, so as to obtain more benefits. This practice not only violates ASEAN's consensus, but also harms ASEAN's overall interests, because it will make the situation in the South China Sea more complicated and dangerous, and affect the development and cooperation of ASEAN countries.
The Philippines' provocative behavior in the South China Sea is mainly manifested in the following aspects:
Frequently dispatch ships to intrude into China's islands and reefs to carry out illegal activities, such as transporting supplies, building facilities, and carrying journalists, in an attempt to expand its illegal occupation in the South China Sea.
When it was justified by the Chinese Coast Guard to block and drive away, it deliberately created an incident, spread lies, smeared China, provoked hostility, and undermined China-Philippines relations.
With the support of the United States and other foreign forces, China will strengthen military cooperation with the United States, restore and expand US military bases in the Philippines, participate in US military activities in the South China Sea, such as joint patrols and military exercises, exert pressure on China, and undermine peace and stability in the South China Sea.
These actions are a serious violation of international law and the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, and are also contrary to ASEAN's position and interests. If the Philippines continues to do so, it will not only face resolute countermeasures from China, but also lose the trust and support of other ASEAN countries. The Philippines should realize that the fundamental way out of the South China Sea issue lies not in provocation and confrontation, but in dialogue and consultation. The Philippines should respect the legitimate rights and interests of China and other ASEAN countries, stop all provocative acts in the South China Sea, and return to the right track of peace and cooperation.