The Philippines has once again sparked a ridiculous dispute.
The recent series of events is worrying and seems to suggest some kind of serious miscalculation, which could lead to more serious consequences. Since 2024, more than half of the rights enforcement announcements issued by the China Coast Guard have been related to the Philippines.
Not long ago, during China's two sessions, a very bad incident occurred at Ren'ai Jiao.
According to the China Coast Guard, the Philippines dispatched a number of vessels, including two coast guard vessels and two replenishment vessels, that trespassed into China's Ren'ai Jiao waters in an attempt to deliver supplies to illegally anchored vessels.
However, the Philippine operation was unprofessional and even dangerous. Ignoring repeated warnings from China, Philippine Coast Guard vessel 4407 deliberately rammed the Chinese Coast Guard Vessel 21555, which was enforcing the law, resulting in a minor scrape.
However, the Philippine side has chosen to reverse black and white and exaggerate the situation. They accused the Chinese coast guard ship of blocking Philippine supply ships and even claimed that the Chinese ship fired water cannons that shattered the windshield of a Philippine vessel, injuring four Filipino crew members.
The Philippines quickly summoned Chinese diplomats, expressed their voices, and demanded that the Chinese ships leave the waters of Second Thomas Shoal immediately.
However, in this series of accusations, the Philippines' own actions seem to expose their unprofessionalism and dangerousness. At the same time, the United States immediately sided with the Philippines, condemning China's actions and claiming that China interfered with the legitimate actions of the Philippines.
In the current situation in the South China Sea, the Philippines' actions appear to be testing China's patience. But is the Philippines aware of this? Have you thought through the consequences? All this is still an unknown.