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Forty-eight hours after the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) established a no-navigation zone in the South China Sea, the Philippines continued to take provocative actions. According to reports, on January 28, a Philippine ship illegally intruded into the waters near Scarborough Shoal and sent four people to the reef of Scarborough Shoal in an attempt to steal China's marine resources. The China Coast Guard issued a warning in accordance with the law and calmly handled the incident. This is the second illegal landing in January, and the Philippines is clearly trying to challenge China's bottom line on the South China Sea.
However, there are many motives behind the Philippine provocation. First of all, Scarborough Shoal is only more than 300 kilometers away from the mainland of the Philippines, so its geographical location is quite important. Second, the waters around Scarborough Shoal are rich in oil and gas, minerals and fisheries, making them a huge attraction for the Philippines, which is committed to developing its own economy. Moreover, by creating incidents in the South China Sea, the Philippines is trying to obtain assistance and support from external forces such as the United States to maximize its own interests.
Although the Philippines has gone through the process of reaching consensus and easing tensions through bilateral consultations on the South China Sea issue, its continued provocative actions are worrying. The Philippines' intention to test China's bottom line is already clear, and they are trying to include Scarborough Shoal in their territory. The Philippines and the United States conducted a live-fire exercise near Scarborough Shoal and conducted a simulated beach grab and island grab training with the Australian Navy, clearly showing their intention to covet Scarborough Shoal.
The Philippines' provocative actions have touched China's bottom line, however, the Philippines is not alone, and in addition to cooperating with the United States, they are also trying to strengthen themselves through collusion with India. It is reported that the Philippines plans to purchase the second batch of "BrahMos" supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles, which are expected to be officially delivered in March. The Philippines is confident that equipped with such missiles, it will greatly increase its control over the South China Sea. The Philippines even claimed that the missile had a range sufficient to cover places like Scarborough Shoal, showing its intention to compete with China.
So why did India choose to support the Philippines? First of all, India wants to reap economic benefits from equipping the Philippines with more. Second, India is using the situation in the South China Sea to distract China in order to gain the initiative and advantage on the Sino-Indian border issue. However, no matter what India and the Philippines may do, they cannot change the fact that Scarborough Shoal is China's inherent territory.
In response to the provocative actions of the Philippines, China has shown a resolute countermeasures. Senior Colonel Wu Qian, spokesman for China's Ministry of National Defense, said at a recent press conference that the Philippines insists on going its own way, and China will resolutely counter it. China is willing to resolve differences through dialogue, but will not condone the treacherous behavior of the Philippines. In the face of the Philippines' constant provocations, China will not budge and will defend its territory and rights and interests.
China is also on high alert against collusion between the Philippines and India. China has made it clear that if any country interferes in the South China Sea in any way, it will take all necessary measures to defend its sovereignty and security. Through its firm stance and defensive measures, China has sent a clear message to the Philippines and India that the South China Sea issue brooks no provocation and that China will not be relentless in safeguarding its core interests.
The Philippines' provocative actions and collusion with India have complicated and tense the South China Sea issue. China is not only facing provocations from the Philippines, but also needs to deal with the involvement of external forces in the South China Sea. However, China has always insisted on resolving differences through dialogue and has taken a firm attitude to safeguard its territorial rights and interests. China's retaliation sends a clear message to the Philippines and India that the South China Sea issue concerns China's core interests and that any provocation will not be tolerated. It is hoped that the Philippines, India and other relevant parties will view the South China Sea issue in a rational manner, resolve differences through dialogue and cooperation, and jointly maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.
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