Recently, Ren'ai Jiao in the South China Sea has once again become the focus of disputes between China and the Philippines. The malicious collision of the Philippine coast guard ship caused minor damage to the Chinese coast guard vessel, and our decisive measures to drive it away with water cannons showed the Philippine side China's firm determination and strong strength. What is shocking is that some people from the Philippines were injured as a result, which is undoubtedly the first "bloodshed" since the escalation of the maritime dispute between China and the Philippines.
In the face of the Philippines' provocative behavior, China did not choose to tolerate it, but decisively escalated its countermeasures. This tough stance made Marcos Jr. feel a lot of pressure during his visit to Australia. In an interview, he abruptly referred to the "South China Sea" agreement he reached with Chinese leaders during his visit to China last year, in an attempt to ease tensions.
However, Marcos Jr.'s move did not receive a positive response from the Chinese side. After all, what the Philippines has done in the South China Sea has seriously undermined the stable foundation of China-Philippines relations, making the establishment of the "South China Sea" lack realistic conditions. China will not change its position lightly because of Marcos Jr.'s momentary needs.
In fact, Marcos Jr.'s handling of China-Philippines relations has been controversial. On the one hand, they continue to strengthen their defense relationship with the United States and facilitate U.S. interference in the South China Sea. On the other hand, they are playing sideways on the Taiwan Strait issue in an attempt to challenge China's bottom line. This double-faced approach has not only disappointed and angered China, but also made the Filipino people worried about the future of China-Philippines relations.
Marcos Jr. should understand that the stability and development of China-Philippines relations conform to the fundamental interests of the two peoples. The South China Sea issue is not the whole story of China-Philippines relations, nor should it become a stumbling block to the development of bilateral relations. If the Philippines can abandon the zero-sum Cold War mentality and look at China-Philippines relations with a more open and inclusive mindset, then the prospects for cooperation between the two countries will be broad.
Sadly, however, Marcos Jr.** doesn't seem to be aware of this. They not only indulge in internal radical voices on China-Philippines relations, but also vigorously suppress rationalists. This is undoubtedly digging its own grave and pushing the Philippines to the brink of confrontation with China.
Returning to the issue of "South China Sea**", we can see that Marcos Jr. did not mention this agreement at this time out of sincere desire to solve the problem, but more like looking for a step for himself. He knows that after China escalates its countermeasures, the Philippines no longer has the capital to continue its provocations. And "Nanhai **" has become an excuse for him to alleviate the embarrassing situation.
However, China will not change its position because of Marcos Jr.'s move. We know that the "South China Sea" is not a panacea, and it cannot solve all the problems between China and the Philippines. More importantly, the establishment of the "South China Sea**" requires the joint efforts and maintenance of both sides. If the Philippines fails to face up to its misdeeds on the South China Sea issue and abandon the zero-sum Cold War mentality, then the establishment of the "South China Sea" will be meaningless.
Therefore, the Chinese side is cautious about Marcos Jr.'s "** proposal." We will not change our position and principles easily because of the need of the moment. On the contrary, we will continue to uphold our position and principles and firmly safeguard our country's sovereignty and territorial integrity. At the same time, we also hope that the Philippines will have a clear understanding of the situation, return to rationality, and view China-Philippines relations with a more open and inclusive attitude. Only in this way can the cooperation between the two countries usher in a better tomorrow.
In short, in the face of the Philippines' provocative behavior in the South China Sea, China has decisively escalated its countermeasures instead of tolerating. Marcos Jr.** mentioned the "South China Sea**" agreement at this time, not out of a sincere desire to solve the problem, but more like looking for a step for himself. China is cautious about this and hopes that the Philippines will have a clear understanding of the situation, return to rationality, and view China-Philippines relations with a more open and inclusive attitude. Only in this way can the cooperation between the two countries usher in a better tomorrow.