Tensions in the South China Sea have escalated again, and the Philippines' attempts to deliver supplies to Second Thomas Shoal have attracted widespread attention. The Philippine side sent two patrol boats to carry out the resupply operation, but the Chinese side deployed a number of coast guard vessels and fishing boats in the surrounding waters, forming a blockade line and monitoring the Philippine ships. This series of actions raises questions about whether the Philippines has any provocative considerations. The reason behind it may be related to the United States. Recently, the USS Carl Vinson and USS Theodore Roosevelt conducted joint training exercises around the Philippines, demonstrating the strategic layout and influence of the US military in the Asia-Pacific region. This has also sparked speculation and concerns about U.S.-Philippine relations. In fact, the Philippines has long disputed sovereignty over the South China Sea. The Philippines claims sovereignty over the reef in the middle of the South China Sea, but China asserts its sovereignty over the South China Sea. This has led to frequent shipments of supplies to Second Thomas Shoal in an attempt to consolidate its presence in the region.
However, such actions have not only failed to resolve the South China Sea disputes, but have further escalated tensions. China's deployment of coast guard vessels and fishing vessels, forming a blockade line and monitoring Philippine vessels is a legitimate action taken by China to defend its rights and interests. But at the same time, it also adds a new smell of gunpowder to the confrontation between the two sides. The resolution of disputes in the South China Sea requires restraint and dialogue on all sides. As important countries in the region, China and the Philippines should strengthen communication and cooperation and resolve disputes through peaceful means. At the same time, the international community should also play an active role in promoting the peaceful settlement of the South China Sea issue. In addition to the disputes between China and the Philippines, the South China Sea disputes also involve the interests of other countries, such as Vietnam and Malaysia. This makes the South China Sea an important focus of regional security. The South China Sea is not only rich in oil and natural gas resources, but also an important shipping route, which is related to the development and security of countries in the region. In order to maintain regional peace and stability, the international community should pay more attention to and intervene in the South China Sea issue.
All parties should adhere to the principle of resolving disputes through dialogue and negotiation on the basis of international law. At the same time, all countries should strengthen cooperation and jointly carry out cooperation in the fields of resource development and environmental protection, so as to promote common development in the region. The South China Sea issue is not only related to the interests of regional countries, but also to global peace and stability. All parties should work together to seek consensus and solutions through dialogue and cooperation, maintain regional peace and stability, and achieve common prosperity and development. Long-term stability and prosperity in the South China Sea can only be achieved through peace and cooperation. Recently, the Philippines** once again provoked China by sending a ship to Ren'ai Jiao in disputed waters between China and the Philippines. This is the second attempt by the Philippine side to carry out a similar operation after the Philippine "Sierra Madre" was detained by the Chinese coast guard last July for the delivery of construction materials. However, no matter how provocative the Philippines is, it will not change China's de facto control over Second Thomas Shoal. Such actions by the Philippines can be seen as an attempt to gain control of the disputed areas of the South China Sea through provocations with the support of the United States.
Previously, the US military had already mobilized three aircraft carriers to the Asia-Pacific region, one of which was anchored at the port of Yokosuka in Japan. According to reports, the US military has tilted 60% of its military resources to the Asia-Pacific region, trying to strengthen its influence in the region through a military presence. However, the provocations of the Philippines do not change the reality. According to Chatham House, a well-known British think tank, China has firmly grasped control of the waters of Second Thomas Shoal, and all attempts by the Philippines have ended in failure. In addition, Filipino personnel recently illegally intruded into China's Scarborough Shoal reef to carry out activities, but were promptly driven away by the Chinese Coast Guard. These incidents reflect that some of Marcos Jr.'s actions are gradually approaching China's bottom line, increasing regional tensions and posing a potential threat to regional stability. It is worth noting that the internal political environment in the Philippines is also one of the reasons for Marcos Jr.**'s above move. As the conflict between the Duterte and Marcos families has become more and more intense, Marcos Jr.'s image in China has been affected.
In this case, Marcos Jr.'s "tough on China" policy to divert the focus of the domestic public may also be a political ploy. However, neither U.S. support nor provocations by the Philippines can change China's de facto control over disputed areas of the South China Sea.