During this year's Spring Festival, the Philippines took the liberty of provocation and tried to storm Scarborough Shoal. They mistakenly thought that China would relax during the holidays, but in fact, the Chinese coast guard has been on high alert and has carried out regular management of the sea area. Their provocation has escalated, and it is no longer limited to a single coast guard ship, but a simultaneous forced intrusion by the sea and air, and even the use of aircraft and **.
On 14 February, the Philippines dispatched an additional British-made Peacock-class patrol ship USS Emilio Jacinto to Palawan, and at the same time deployed a small American-made Cessna C208 reconnaissance plane to Thitu Island Airport. A large number of fishing boats assembled, claiming to be waiting in line to subsidize fuel for the Philippine Coast Guard, but in fact they were trying to cover the approach or intrusion of the coast guard vessels on Scarborough Shoal. This provocation adopts the method of integrating sea and air, and seems to be an attempt to achieve a second incident of beaching at Ren'ai Jiao.
Since mid-February, the Philippine Coast Guard ship No. 9701 "Teresa Magbanua", the fishery administration ship No. 3005 "Tambert Datu" of the Fishery Administration Bureau, and the fishery administration ship No. 3002 have repeatedly forced their way into Scarborough Shoal, and even released small boats at sea in an attempt to break through in all directions in the chaos. In addition to the support of the United States, this arrogant behavior is also related to the new armaments that the Philippines has recently received.
First of all, the Philippine Coast Guard 9701 is a cutting-edge ship built for it by Japan, based on the Haibao Guotou-class patrol ship. The ship is 97 meters long, has a standard displacement of 2,260 tons, carries more than 100 people, is equipped with searchlights, high-pressure water cannons, night vision systems, satellite communication systems, etc., and can even operate unmanned remote-controlled underwater vehicles. Equivalent to a small frigate in terms of ship tonnage, it is a powerful platform.
In order to strengthen its aerial reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities, the Philippines has also deployed a small Cessna C208 reconnaissance aircraft provided by the United States on Thitu Island. With a maximum flight speed of 341 kilometers and a maximum range of 1,680 kilometers, this aircraft can not only be used for filming propaganda, but also carry air-to-surface missiles, rockets and other military equipment, posing a threat to ordinary coast guard ships.
In addition, the Philippines has sent an additional British-made Peacock-class patrol ship Emilio Jacinto to Palawan to strengthen its patrol force in the South China Sea. Although the tonnage is inferior to that of the frigate, it is still equipped with a "Otto" 76-mm naval gun and a 25-mm machine gun in terms of firepower, which is the equivalent of a small frigate.
In the face of such provocations, our country has not shown weakness. Type 053H3 frigates have been deployed in the surrounding waters, and the Type 052D destroyer "Yinchuan" has recently been unveiled. This 7,000-ton destroyer not only ranks among the best in the world in terms of performance, but is also equipped with an advanced vertical hair system. The Yinchuan demonstrated its interception strength at the scene of the incident, and the Z-9*** went out to monitor, and cooperated with the coast guard ships to effectively intercept and prevent the Philippine provocation.
The Philippines' arrogant move has attracted attention at home and abroad, and the series of events also reflects the escalation of tensions in the South China Sea. China has made no concessions in safeguarding its territorial sovereignty and has defended peace in the South China Sea with strong strength. This contest is not only a test of diplomacy, but also a manifestation of our strength. Let us pay close attention to the development of the situation in the South China Sea and firmly support our country's determination to defend our national interests.