Recently, Philippine coast guard vessels illegally intruded into the waters adjacent to China's Scarborough Shoal on several occasions between the Chinese Lunar New Year and the first day of the Lunar New Year, posing a serious threat to China's sovereignty in the South China Sea. In the face of this situation, the China Coast Guard issued a statement announcing that the Chinese coast guard ships would go out at full speed, take off their gun jackets, and sweep the bow of the Philippine ship, showing a firm attitude and strong strength to the ships that violated Chinese territory.
The 3302 and 3105 ships of the China Coast Guard have installed anti-collision pads in the waters near Scarborough Shoal and are ready for impact. Although the Chinese coast guard did not aim its fire control system at the Philippine ship, it was clearly ready to fight and would immediately fire fire to defend itself if something happened. The Philippine side dispatched the largest coast guard ship in its possession, the USS Teresa Magbanua, to intrude into the waters near China's Scarborough Shoal, and the Chinese coast guard ships 3302 and 3105 adopted the tactics of flanking left and right to control and drive them away. In the face of China's strong intervention, the Philippine coast guard ship had to make an emergency stop and was forced to adjust its course and evacuate.
It is understood that the "Theresa Magbanua" patrol ship is the largest coast guard ship owned by the Philippines, built with the help of low-interest loans from Japan, with a displacement of about 2,600 tons, a length of 97 meters, and a maximum speed of 24 knots. The ship cost about 4500 million yuan, based on the Japan Coast Guard's "Kunigami" class patrol ship. However, despite the Philippines' largest coast guard ship, it failed to make its way into the waters near China's Scarborough Shoal and was eventually evacuated.
China has demonstrated its firm will and strength in the Spring Festival standoff at Scarborough Shoal. In addition to the two Chinese coast guard vessels, four armed fishing boats and frigates of the Chinese Navy responded to the plan. The Philippine Coast Guard 9701 ship did not gain any advantage in the provocation at Scarborough Shoal and was firmly repelled by China. Through this action, China has sent a clear signal to the Philippines and other relevant countries that China's determination to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea is unquestionable, and any violation of China's territory and sovereignty will be resolutely counterattacked.
China has always been committed to resolving disputes in the South China Sea and maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea. China has advocated shelving disputes, joint development, and diplomatic efforts to maintain cooperation between ASEAN countries and China. However, some countries involved in the South China Sea have continued to challenge China's sovereignty in the South China Sea with the support of the United States, and have become increasingly restless, leading to a return to turmoil in the South China Sea.
China has had to re-examine its policies and actions in the South China Sea. As some countries increasingly fail to comply with the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea and even increase their unilateral abuses, it is imperative that China take more decisive measures to respond to these provocative acts. Rather than blindly exercising restraint and forbearance, China should dare to show its sword and take concrete actions to tell other relevant countries in the South China Sea that the responsibility for maintaining stability in the South China Sea cannot be relied on by China's efforts alone, but requires the joint efforts of all relevant countries.
The South China Sea has significant geopolitical and military-strategic value, but it is also a disputed region. As a littoral state in the South China Sea, China has legitimate territorial and maritime rights and interests, and has the responsibility and obligation to maintain stability in the South China Sea. In the past, China has adopted a soft policy on the South China Sea issue, but this has not won the approval of the relevant countries in the South China Sea, but has been seen as weak and bullied. Therefore, China needs to take a tougher stance on the South China Sea issue and take action against provocateurs who violate the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.
China's Bright Sword campaign can serve as an example to other countries in the South China Sea and make other countries in the South China Sea deeply aware that there is a heavy price to be paid for colluding with external forces to undermine peace and stability in the South China Sea. China's resolute actions will make it clear to these countries that listening to the United States' demagogy and provocation of China's sovereignty in the South China Sea will only lead to disastrous consequences and are not worth paying for.
China must resolutely defend its rights and claims in the South China Sea with the goal of maintaining stability in the South China Sea. Under the new circumstances, China needs to adopt new thinking and methods to counter erosion in the South China Sea. China must promptly crack down on violations of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea to ensure long-term peace and stability in the South China Sea. China's responsibility to safeguard the South China Sea is not only China's responsibility, but also requires the joint efforts of all relevant countries to achieve peace and stability in the South China Sea.
In short, China needs to be brave in the South China Sea and take decisive action against provocative actions that violate the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. Only in this way can China's firm determination to safeguard its sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea be conveyed to relevant countries, and the destabilizing actors in the South China Sea will be held at a heavy price. At the same time, China's maintenance of stability in the South China Sea also has an important impact on the entire international community, which is conducive to promoting global peace and development and enhancing China's international reputation and status. Therefore, China's persistence and efforts on the South China Sea issue are very necessary.