During the Spring Festival, the situation in the South China Sea was not very good. Recently, Philippine cruisers have frequently provoked incidents in the vicinity of Scarborough Shoal, which has aroused great attention from the international community. However, this move is no coincidence, and there are both geographical and economic reasons behind it.
Located in the South China Sea**, Scarborough Shoal has been an inherent territory of China since ancient times, but it has been controversial throughout history. In recent years, the South China Sea issue has attracted great attention while the country's strength has been increasing. The Philippines is a neighbor of the South China Sea and has ongoing disputes with China over the South China Sea. This year's Chinese New Year, Philippine cruisers carried out an illegal incursion into the waters off Scarborough Shoal, a challenge to the South China Sea.
First, the Philippines' move is a test of China's attitude toward the South China Sea. China resolutely defends its sovereignty and territorial integrity in the South China Sea, and has done a great deal of work in the construction of islands and reefs, patrol and law enforcement. The Philippines** hopes to see how China responds to such a challenge through the encroachment on Scarborough Shoal, thereby laying the foundation for the formulation and implementation of a future South China Sea strategy.
Second, the Philippines is trying to use the South China Sea as an excuse to clash with China in order to ease the internal conflict. In recent years, due to a series of problems such as domestic economic recession and political corruption, the Filipino people have become more and more dissatisfied with the country. In light of this, the Philippine authorities have used the South China Sea issue to demonstrate their assertiveness over China in order to distract from its internal conflict and boost its popular support.
Third, the Philippines' provocative actions in the South China Sea are also fueled by the outside world. The United States and some other Western powers have been helping the Philippines and other parts of the South China Sea in hopes of containing China's development. The Philippines has illegally invaded Scarborough Shoal this time, and behind the scenes, the United States and some other Western forces have contributed to it.
When the Philippines carried out provocations against the South China Sea, China firmly upheld China's sovereignty and territorial integrity with a restrained and calm attitude. A spokeswoman for the Chinese coast guard said the Chinese patrol had carried out legitimate rights protection operations in China's jurisdiction and had issued a warning for the eviction of the Philippines over the invasion of Scarborough Shoal. This is China's resolute attitude towards the situation in the South China Sea.
All in all, China's provocative actions in the South China Sea will not affect China's sovereign status and firm will to defend its national interests. China will, as always, resolutely safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the South China Sea and work with its neighbors to contribute to peace and stability in the South China Sea.