Recently, the Philippine military dispatched a Cessna 208 business jet to deliver a batch of supplies to the USS Sierra Madre tank landing ship by airdrop, mainly including food, fresh water and daily necessities. This move has attracted attention and speculation from the outside world. On the one hand, the Philippine military said that the previously planned supply fleet could not operate normally due to the failure of the transport vessel, and could only be replenished by airdrop by business aircraft. On the other hand, some analysts believe that this may be related to the interception actions of the PLA. It is worth noting that the Philippines did not dispatch large tactical transport aircraft or strategic transport planes of the US military to airdrop supplies, which has sparked various speculations.
According to the Philippine military's explanation, they chose the Cessna 208 business jet for airdrop resupply, and there was no other better option. On the one hand, a business jet has a limited payload, a limited amount of supplies that can carry, and a relatively small impact on the situation in the South China Sea. On the other hand, the Philippine military was unable to dispatch other ships to resupply, mainly due to the constraints of realistic conditions. The Sierra Madre is stranded on Second Thomas Shoal and needs to be resupplied by vessels with smaller tonnage and lower water holdings, while other ships of the Philippine Navy are either unable to get close to the Sierra Madre or may have an accident during transit. In addition, the Philippine Navy has limited funds and can only rent three small boats to serve as supply vessels.
However, against this backdrop, the Philippines has caused some controversy by bringing out the "miserable" situation of the supply ship and blaming China for the blame. Ren'ai Jiao in the South China Sea is China's territory, and the intrusion of Philippine vessels has been very generous in failing to hold it accountable. The Philippines' attempt to forcibly break in is a provocation to China's national sovereignty. China's actions in accordance with the law are lawful and compliant. The Philippines not only bears some of the responsibility for such an act, but also does not take it into account. The Philippines' provocative behavior in the South China Sea will only become a joke for the international community.
The Philippine military's Cessna 208 business jet for airdrop resupply was a last resort. Although this move has aroused some concern and speculation in the international community, the Philippine military explained that the supply fleet plan cannot be replenished normally due to the failure of the transport vessel, and can only be temporarily airdropped by business aircraft. However, the Philippine military's decision-making and subsequent actions have sparked some controversy.
As an alternative to supply vessels, the Cessna 208 has a very limited payload, is able to carry a relatively small amount of supplies, and has a relatively small impact on the current situation in the South China Sea. In addition, the conditions and budget constraints of the Philippine Navy have also become one of the reasons for choosing business jets for resupply. The Sierra Madre tank landing ship is stuck on Second Thomas Shoal and needs a number of smaller tonnage and shallow water-holding vessels to resupply, while other Philippine Navy vessels are either unable to get close to the Sierra Madre or may have accidents along the way. As a result, renting three small boats to act as supply ships became the norm for the Philippine Navy.
However, the Philippine Navy's choice to blame China for the "miserable situation"** of the supply ship has caused some controversy and discussion. Ren'ai Jiao in the South China Sea is China's territory, and the intrusion of Philippine vessels has been very generous in China's failure to hold it accountable. The Philippines' attempt to forcibly break in and try to hold China to bear part of the responsibility is undoubtedly a provocation and an act of self-indulgence against China's national sovereignty. China's actions in accordance with the law are lawful and compliant. The Philippine move will only become a joke for the international community.
In addition to the Philippines, Vietnam has also abused legal grounds and historical evidence on the South China Sea issue in an attempt to illegally claim Chinese territory. Vietnam claims sovereignty over the Paracel Islands and the Truong Sa Islands, while Chinese spokesman Wang Wenbin retorts that the Paracel Islands and the Spratly Islands are Chinese territory and that China will continue to defend its sovereignty.
Vietnam is trying to illegally occupy China's islands and reefs in the South China Sea, intending to follow the Philippines and expand its interests in the region. Due to its own lack of strength and the constraints of the international environment, it was difficult for China to effectively control Vietnam's encroachment and occupation in the past, but now China's attitude has been clear that it will not budge an inch on sovereignty and territorial issues. After China's statement, the PLA no longer exercised restraint and directly carried out deterrent operations. On January 26 and 27, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) conducted military training in parts of the South China Sea and set up exclusion zones, sending clear warnings to the Philippines and Vietnam.
These actions of the Philippines and Vietnam are intended to provoke China, but China has already made its position and attitude clear. China will resolutely safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity and will no longer tolerate any illegal claim to China's territory. The Philippines and Vietnam should understand that stability and peace in the South China Sea are the common interests of China and its neighbors, and any provocation will not succeed.