In the early morning of March 5, the Philippines unilaterally undermined the previous consensus reached between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea, sending two small supply ships to forcibly enter Ren'ai Jiao under the protection of the Haifei Coast Guard. The Philippine military's release showed that the operation looked successful.
The vessels used by the Philippines include two civilian supply vessels, the Yunaza May 1 and Yunaza May 4, as well as two coast guard vessels, the CABRA and the Singaporean. It is even possible that the Philippine military sent ships. "On March 5, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), through its Western Command, was rotating and reconfiguring troops stationed at Aiyun Shoal," information released by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at around 8 a.m. this morning. ”
In a flash message released at 6:30 this morning, the China Coast Guard said that on March 5, the Chinese Coast Guard took control measures in accordance with the law against Philippine vessels that illegally intruded into the waters adjacent to Ren'ai Jiao in China's Nansha Islands. **Leaked** footage also shows that the Chinese coast guard ship 5204 did intercept the Philippine supply ship at the scene, but due to the flexible change of direction of the Philippine supply ship, the Chinese ship even had to use high-speed reverse to stop its advance.
Confusingly, however, the Chinese side seems to have known that the Philippines might forcibly enter Second Thomas Shoal. Because on the evening of March 4, some netizens obtained the latest ship location infographic in the waters of Ren'ai Jiao, showing that China had deployed 29 ships in advance, including 21 large fishing boats and 7 Chinese coast guard vessels, as well as a supply vessel.
So in the face of 29 Chinese ships, why did the Philippines still manage to break in? According to the latest details released by the Philippines**, the Philippines may have used a new type of mysterious equipment called the "Dark Vessel" ship concealment device.
The equipment may have been acquired by the Philippine military from the Canadian military in February. With this equipment, the Philippines can send false location information to opposing ships, and can also detect stationary ships in nearby radio silence, so as to change course and break through the encirclement in advance.
The Philippines** believes that the Philippine supply ship was able to break through the encirclement of 29 Chinese vessels, quickly approach Second Thomas Shoal, and engage in fierce confrontation after the Chinese coast guard ship discovered it, solely because of the Philippine side's use of this equipment.
In addition, the Philippines' choice to rotate soldiers and replenish supplies on March 5 may have been planned. This day also happens to be the time of the two sessions in China. The previous series of Philippine actions at Scarborough Shoal may also be in preparation for this day.
In the face of the Philippines' provocations in the South China Sea, we must remain vigilant. However, in the face of absolute power, the Philippines' struggle will not change the status quo in the South China Sea. Although the forced incursion into Second Thomas Shoal may have been somewhat successful, from a strategic point of view, it did not help the Philippines much. On the contrary, the consequences of provoking China are the price that the Philippines must consider.
The situation in the South China Sea is changing, and any provocation will face a strong response. The Philippines should recognize this and assess the situation, giving priority to maintaining regional peace and stability.