On the international stage, the South China Sea has been a focus of tension and dispute. Recently, the Philippines' interaction with China in the region has attracted the attention of the international community. The Philippine Coast Guard has evicted fishermen fishing illegally in the waters near Scarborough Shoal, an action seen as a challenge to China's sovereignty. At the same time, the announcement by the United States and the Philippines of the resumption of joint patrols in the South China Sea has undoubtedly heightened tensions in the region.
The US military presence in the Asia-Pacific region is also a factor that cannot be ignored. According to reports, the recent frequent activities of the three US aircraft carriers in the western Pacific region have been interpreted as a show of military power by the United States against China. Against this backdrop, the diplomatic actions of Marcos Jr. in the Philippines are particularly eye-catching. His visit to Vietnam was seen as an attempt to rally other ASEAN countries together to deal with the complex situation in the South China Sea.
In the international court, former Philippine Duterte is being investigated for his war on drugs, an incident that also reflects the international community's concern about the internal affairs of the Philippines. However, Marcos Jr. refused to cooperate with the ICJ's investigation, a position that could affect the image and status of the Philippines internationally.
In this series of events, we can see that the South China Sea issue is not only a dispute between regional countries, but also a part of the great power game. While safeguarding their own interests, countries are also seeking cooperation and dialogue to avoid the escalation of conflicts. In the future, peace and stability in the South China Sea will depend on the wisdom and diplomatic efforts of all parties.