On the 11th, the spokesperson of the China Coast Guard issued a statement on the illegal invasion of Scarborough Shoal by the Philippines, saying that from February 2 to 9, Philippine coast guard ships illegally intruded into the waters adjacent to China's Scarborough Shoal on several occasions, and the Chinese coast guard carried out rights protection and law enforcement activities in the waters under China's jurisdiction in accordance with the law. An expert on the South China Sea interviewed by the Global Times said on the 11th that the Philippines' choice to provoke trouble during the Spring Festival was intentional, but the Philippines could not get any benefits. The provocative actions of the Philippines will only further reduce mutual trust between the two sides, undermine the political atmosphere, and even further affect the perception of the Philippines by the Chinese people and society. At the same time, they analyzed that China's rights protection measures have sent a strong signal to the outside world, "China will never allow the Philippines to cross the red line." ”
According to Gan Yu, a spokesman for the China Coast Guard, from February 2 to 9, Philippine Coast Guard vessel 9701 repeatedly illegally intruded into the waters adjacent to China's Scarborough Shoal. When the warning was ineffective, the China Coast Guard took measures to control the route of the Philippine ship and force it to leave in accordance with the law, and handled it on the spot in a professional and standardized manner. China has indisputable sovereignty over Scarborough Shoal and its adjacent waters. The China Coast Guard has consistently carried out rights protection and law enforcement activities in waters under China's jurisdiction in accordance with the law, and has resolutely safeguarded national sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.
Dr. Ding Duo, deputy director of the Institute of Marine Law and Policy of the South China Sea Research Institute, said in an interview with the Global Times on the 11th that the provocation during China's Spring Festival holiday should be intentional by the Philippine side, and the reason behind it is not only that the Philippines is unwilling to give up its illegal claim to Scarborough Shoal, but also wants to take advantage of the "opportunity" of traditional Chinese festivals to "take more advantage" at sea.
However, because the China Coast Guard is constantly carrying out rights protection and law enforcement activities in waters under China's jurisdiction, the Philippines' attempt has obviously not succeeded, "The Philippine behavior not only does not bring any benefits, but also further reduces mutual trust between the two sides, undermines the political atmosphere, and even further affects the Chinese people's perception of the Philippines." No matter what timing and measures the Philippines chooses, China will always be ready to fight, and its plot will certainly not succeed. Ding Duo said.
On January 17, Assistant Minister Nong Rong and Philippine Deputy Minister Lazaro co-chaired the eighth meeting of the China-Philippines Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) on the South China Sea issue in Shanghai. The two sides reaffirmed that the South China Sea dispute is not the whole story of bilateral relations, and believes that maintaining communication and dialogue is essential to maintaining maritime peace and stability.
However, after the BCM meeting, the Philippines did not stop provocative. Ding Duo believes that Marcos Jr. has adjusted the Philippines' South China Sea policy and China policy since taking office, has a strong speculative psychology and gambler mentality, and constantly provokes and hypes up maritime affairs.
Chen Xiangmiao, deputy director of the Institute of Marine Sciences of the South China Sea Research Institute, said in an interview with the Global Times on the 11th that the Philippines had previously dispatched more fishing boats and official vessels of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources when carrying out invasion missions on Huangyan Island, but this time the Philippines dispatched coast guard ships. In contrast, the coast guard ships are large in tonnage and equipped with equipment, indicating that the Philippines is trying to break the previous tacit understanding and make a breakthrough.
Many experts believe that the current approach of the Philippines is mainly a "three-pronged axe": first, standing on the so-called "moral high ground" and accusing China of "infringement"; Then the wicked first sued and slandered China's dangerous interception; Next, take advantage of the ** to build momentum internationally. Ding Duo analyzed that the Philippines' smearing of China's defense of sovereignty as "maritime bullying" is a hype strategy it has adopted in recent years on the most advanced field and multilateral diplomatic occasions, which echoes the "de-dispute", "quasi-adjudication" and "pan-security" promoted by the United States and the West in the South China Sea narrative.
However, the fact is that the actions taken by the China Coast Guard at Scarborough Shoal are normal activities to safeguard its territorial sovereignty, not out of geopolitical considerations, nor are they taking advantage of the current international situation to engage in expansion in the South China Sea. Ding Duo said that China has also been and still has been showing goodwill to the Filipino people. He said that during the Duterte period, China and the Philippines reached a consensus not to discuss the South China Sea issue based on the so-called South China Sea arbitration award, and made temporary arrangements for Philippine fishermen to fish in the waters near Scarborough Shoal at the operational level.
Of course, there are prerequisites for such temporary arrangements, such as Philippine fishing boats not being allowed to enter the Scarborough Shoal lagoon, not violating Chinese laws and regulations, not fishing for rare marine animals, not destroying the ecological environment of nearby waters, and at the same time the Philippine Coast Guard and others are not allowed to break into Scarborough Shoal and expel Chinese fishermen. These preconditions reflect China's sovereignty and jurisdiction over Scarborough Shoal, and under these preconditions, China has made temporary arrangements for Philippine fishermen to show goodwill to the Filipino people. He believes that this arrangement shows that during the Duterte period, China and the Philippines had a certain tacit understanding in dealing with maritime frictions, and also took into account the overall situation of bilateral relations.
Ding Duo said that in the face of the recent repeated provocations by the Philippines, China is currently taking strong measures to protect its rights, and at the same time taking multiple measures to urge the Philippines to return to the right track of managing maritime disputes through negotiation and consultation to avoid the escalation of the crisis.
We will never allow the Philippines to cross the red line. First of all, Philippine fishing boats, official vessels, and coast guard vessels are never allowed to enter the Huangyan Island lagoon. Second, the Philippines will never be allowed to repeat its old tricks and take de facto control of Scarborough Shoal by sitting on the beach. Third, we must not allow a repeat of the 2012 Scarborough Shoal incident. Chen Xiangmiao said, "This is not only China's determination, but also a red line." ”
*: Global Times.
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