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In January 2024, shocking news spread around the world that the Philippine Air Force conducted an ultra-low airdrop over Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea to resupply the Philippine Navy landing ship. The airdrop drew attention to the Philippines' motives, processes, and outcomes in the South China Sea. This article will analyze the Philippines' Second Thomas Reef airdrop from multiple perspectives, aiming to provide readers with a clear and comprehensive answer.
The Philippine Second Thomas Shoal airdrop was not an impulsive act, but a planned and planned operation. There are three main motivations for the Philippine airdrop. First, the Philippine airdrop is designed to maintain and consolidate its own presence and control over Second Thomas Shoal. Second Thomas Shoal is the only island and reef occupied by the Philippines in the South China Sea and is of great strategic importance to the Philippines. The purpose of the airdrop is to show China and the international community that the Philippines will not give up its occupation and sovereignty over Second Thomas Shoal. Second, the Philippine airdrop is intended to neutralize and challenge China's superiority and influence in the South China Sea. As the largest maritime party, China has a strong military and influence in the South China Sea. The Philippines is trying to demonstrate its military capabilities and political will to China in an airdrop operation to weaken China's dominant position in the South China Sea. Third, the Philippine airdrop was made with the support and intervention of the United States. The United States is a traditional ally and security guarantor of the Philippines, as well as a key intervener in the South China Sea. The Philippines is trying to show its loyalty and worth to the United States through the airdrop operation, in order to gain the support and intervention of the United States.
The Philippines' Second Thomas Shoal airdrop went through the preparation, execution, and results phases. First, the Philippines began planning and preparing for the airdrop in early January 2024. They plan to use a C-130 transport plane, carrying supplies, to take off from Palawan Island, fly along the edge of the South China Sea to the skies over Second Thomas Shoal, and carry out ultra-low-altitude airdrops. The Philippines opted for an airdrop on one night in mid-January to increase its chances of success.
Secondly, the Philippines will begin the airdrop mission at about 10 p.m. on January 15, 2024. Experienced Air Force colonels flew C-130 transport planes, carrying soldiers and supplies, from Palawan to the skies over Second Thomas Shoal. Upon reaching the skies over Second Thomas Shoal, the Philippine airdrop lowered the flight altitude, opened the cargo hatch, and dropped supplies onto the landing ship by parachute. After the mission was completed, they quickly returned to Palawan.
In the end, the Philippine airdrop, while successfully completing its mission, also encountered some technical and meteorological problems. For example, aircraft engines failed, parachutes were not fully opened, supplies were off target, and unfavorable wind speeds and directions. These factors make the airdrop process more complicated and difficult.
The Philippine airdrop, while ostensibly a success, was actually a failed venture. The airdrop did not change the situation and pattern in the South China Sea, nor did it bring any substantial benefits to the Philippines. On the contrary, the Philippine airdrop provoked a backlash and reaction from China. China strongly condemned the Philippine airdrop, calling it an act that violates China's sovereignty and undermines peace and stability in the South China Sea. China has also taken a series of measures, including military exercises and diplomacy**, in response to the Philippine airdrop operation. In addition, the Philippine airdrop has also led to international attention and concern about the South China Sea issue, and has sparked a wider debate and controversy.
The Philippine airdrop on Second Thomas Shoal was a planned and planned operation motivated primarily by maintaining its presence and control over Second Thomas Shoal, challenging China's dominance and influence in the South China Sea, and enlisting U.S. support and intervention. The airdrop process in the Philippines went through the stages of preparation, execution, and results, and while it appeared to be a success on the surface, it was actually a failed venture. The airdrop did not change the situation and pattern in the South China Sea, but instead triggered a strong reaction from China and the attention of the international community. In the end, the Philippine airdrop did not bring any substantial benefits to itself, but could lead to further tensions and conflicts. Therefore, the Philippines should reassess its position and actions on the South China Sea issue and seek a peaceful and cooperative solution.
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