Friction between China and the Philippines over the South China Sea issue has been escalating, and the Philippines has repeatedly provoked China in the South China Sea in an attempt to draw in foreign countries to intervene in the South China Sea, which has aroused strong dissatisfaction from China. During the phone call with his Philippine counterpart, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi sternly warned the Philippine side not to misjudge China's will and bottom line, and not to let China-Philippines relations go in the wrong direction. However, the Philippine defense secretary publicly denied China's claims in the South China Sea the next day, saying that China was "talking to itself" and had not been recognized by the international community. This statement is undoubtedly a provocation and contempt for China, as well as a sabotage of China-Philippines friendship and cooperation.
In response, the Chinese side said that China's sovereignty, rights and interests in the South China Sea are historical and legal facts, which brook no questioning or challenge. China has always maintained the peaceful settlement of disputes in the South China Sea through consultation and dialogue, and to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea. The Philippines should stop creating incidents in the South China Sea, stop confronting China, and stop allowing external forces to meddle in the South China Sea issue, otherwise it will only damage the Philippines' own interests and reputation.
It is worth noting that on the second day of the phone call between the Chinese foreign minister and the Philippine foreign minister, Marcos Jr. of the Philippine side unexpectedly changed his tone, saying that the Philippine side will solve the problem of "beaching" at Ren'ai Jiao on its own, which is the Philippine side's own problem and has nothing to do with other countries. Ren'ai Jiao is one of the focal points of dispute between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea, and in 1999 the Philippines sent a ** to "beach" at Ren'ai Jiao, and used this as an excuse to illegally occupy Ren'ai Jiao. China has repeatedly asked the Philippines to withdraw**, but the Philippines has always refused, and has even built some facilities on Ren'ai Jiao in an attempt to consolidate its illegal occupation.
Does Marcos Jr.'s remarks mean that the Philippines is willing to engage in dialogue and consultation with China on the Ren'ai Jiao issue? Or is it just a strategic shift to gain more time and space to ease tensions between China and the Philippines? Since Marcos Jr. took office, the Philippines' attitude on the South China Sea issue has been wavering, sometimes friendly and cooperative with China, sometimes antagonistic and confrontational with China, sometimes colluding with the United States and other countries outside the region, and sometimes keeping a distance from the United States and other countries outside the region. Marcos Jr.'s policy of "riding the wall" is not only to safeguard the domestic interests of the Philippines but also to balance the diplomatic relations of the Philippines, but this policy is not sustainable and does not conform to the long-term interests of the Philippines.
In fact, the fundamental way out for the Philippines on the South China Sea issue is to build mutual trust, strengthen cooperation with China, and jointly maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea. China has always maintained that the South China Sea issue should be resolved through friendly consultation and negotiation by countries directly concerned, and that foreign countries should not be allowed to interfere. China has also been committed to promoting the consultation process on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea and providing legal guarantees for peace and development in the South China Sea. The Philippine side should realize that China is a partner of the Philippines on the South China Sea issue, not an adversary, let alone an enemy. Only by joining hands with China can we realize the common interests of the South China Sea and ensure the development of the Philippines.
It remains to be seen whether Marcos Jr.'s statement can become a turning point in China-Philippines relations. However, China's position and attitude are clear and firm, and China will continue to safeguard its sovereignty, rights and interests, and will continue to engage in dialogue and consultation with the Philippines and other South China Sea countries to contribute to peace and stability in the South China Sea. China hopes that the Philippines will make the right choice, stop taking the wrong path, stop bogging down China-Philippines relations, and stop letting the South China Sea issue become an obstacle to China-Philippines cooperation. China is willing to work with the Philippines to jointly create a new chapter in China-Philippines relations and make new contributions to peace and development in the South China Sea.