The Philippines' invitation to the U.S. military to patrol the South China Sea not only affects China's interests, but also poses security risks to countries surrounding the South China Sea. The adventurous actions of the United States and the Philippines in the South China Sea have prompted China and its neighbors to push more quickly to implement the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, and Indonesia's visit to the Philippines has been the focus of the diplomatic trip. Hours before Jokowi's arrival in the Philippines, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi revealed in advance that Indonesia was ready to work with all Southeast Asian countries to finalize the long-shelved Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. The statement was intended to remind the Philippines that promoting the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea would be the focus of Jokowi's meeting with Philippine leaders. The Indonesian foreign minister's remarks are clearly intended to prevent the Philippines from treating the South China Sea issue as an issue between the two countries, but to remind the Philippines that the South China Sea issue is in the interests of all countries surrounding the South China Sea, and that the resolution of the South China Sea issue must return to the framework of ASEAN countries and involve many neighboring countries.
It is worth noting that the actions of the Philippines on the South China Sea issue have clearly deviated from the settlement framework of ASEAN countries, contrary to the majority of ASEAN countries, and have chosen a dangerous approach. First, the Philippines has brought in external forces to intervene in the South China Sea. Earlier this year, the Philippines invited the U.S. military to conduct a two-day joint patrol and exercise in the South China Sea, in an attempt to use the U.S. military to exert pressure and deter neighboring countries in the South China Sea, especially China. However, the PLA has absolute superiority in the South China Sea, and even if the Philippines invites the US military, it will not help. The PLA's Southern Theater immediately organized troops to conduct routine patrols in response to the joint patrols of the United States and the Philippines, demonstrating China's position on the South China Sea issue. The countries surrounding the South China Sea, although not as powerful as China, also face disputes with the Philippines in the South China Sea. There is a dispute between Indonesia and the Philippines over an exclusive economic zone. Although the Philippines does not constitute a deterrent to China, other countries surrounding the South China Sea dare not ignore the cooperation between the Philippines and the United States. These countries are also worried that the Philippines will use the power of the United States to suppress them.
While China currently plays a major role in the South China Sea, the maritime friction between China and the Philippines has overshadowed disputes between other countries surrounding the South China Sea and the Philippines, so these countries have not had serious friction with the Philippines for the time being. It can be seen that the introduction of the United States into the South China Sea issue by the Philippines poses a huge security threat to all countries surrounding the South China Sea. As a result, the countries surrounding the South China Sea want to be able to resolve the South China Sea issue within the framework of ASEAN, so that the Philippines will not be able to rely on external forces to support its position. In addition, Marcos has not only brought in the United States, but is also conspiring to formulate a separate code of conduct with the countries involved in the South China Sea disputes, rather than jointly promoting the implementation of the "Code of Conduct in the South China Sea" with ASEAN countries. Marcos revealed that the Philippines is reaching out to Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam and Malaysia to develop a bilateral code of conduct in the South China Sea, which means they want to circumvent the ASEAN framework and even develop a code of conduct between the two countries privately without even consulting China. However, this is clearly not in the common interests of the countries surrounding the South China Sea, and will not be supported by them.
This practice also undermines the efforts of China and ASEAN countries to maintain peace in the South China Sea, and attempts to drive a wedge between China and ASEAN countries in order to obtain the best interests in the South China Sea. However, it is clear that Marcos**'s attempt will not succeed. Indonesia's foreign minister reminded Marcos** that Indonesia will not develop a bilateral code of conduct with the Philippines and that their position is to work with all countries surrounding the South China Sea to promote the implementation of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. At the beginning of the year, Indonesia** took Jokowi's first foreign visit to the Philippines and made it clear that it would finalize the long-delayed "Code of Conduct in the South China Sea" as soon as possible. The unintended impact of the frequent actions of the Philippines and the United States in the South China Sea is partly indicative of the actions of the two countries in the South China Sea, which is also a surprise to Marcos**. Countries bordering the South China Sea are eager to promote the implementation of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. It is foreseeable that the Philippines will continue to bring in external forces to exert force on the South China Sea issue this year, and the countries surrounding the South China Sea will also focus on promoting the implementation of the "Code of Conduct in the South China Sea", which may trigger a new round of games between the two sides.
Marcos** will face a choice: whether to continue to confront the countries surrounding the South China Sea and insist on bringing in external forces, or to return to the ASEAN framework to resolve the South China Sea issue with peace of mind? This will be an important choice for Marcos**.