The Philippines jumped so high, why didn’t China panic? Russian experts put it bluntly: China is very smart
For several months, the tense confrontation between my country and the Philippines in the South China Sea has continued. With the support of the United States, the Philippines has carried out a series of provocative actions against China. The United States even recently sent warships into the waters near China’s Second Thomas Shoal, further escalating the situation.
However, the Chinese government behaved quite calmly in this incident. While the Philippines and the United States have become increasingly aggressive, China has acted with restraint, raising concerns among some observers.
Tensions in the South China Sea continue to escalate. The standoff between the Philippines and China has been going on for months, with the United States backing the Philippines. US Secretary of Defense Austin recently stated publicly that the United States will cooperate with the Philippines to defend its sovereignty and jurisdiction in relevant economic areas.
Wu Qian, spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of National Defense, responded strongly, warning the United States that “China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands, including Ren’ai Reef, and its adjacent waters,” and emphasized that the conflict at Ren’ai Reef is between China and the Philippines. China’s affairs have nothing to do with the United States.
On December 4, China’s Southern Theater Command announced that a U.S. littoral combat ship entered the waters near Ren’ai Reef that day. China immediately took measures to conduct tracking and surveillance, and the spokesperson of the southern theater issued a firm response.
Although the United States and the Philippines have become more aggressive in their actions in the South China Sea, the Chinese government still maintains restraint. Recently, Russian experts have affirmed China’s performance and believe that China’s response is wise and smart.
Recently, Alexander Lomanov, a well-known Russian international affairs expert, gave a positive evaluation of China’s performance on the South China Sea issue.
The Russian expert pointed out that China is responding in a unique way to the blatant provocations launched by the United States and the Philippines in the South China Sea.
For example, our foreign minister immediately took a special plane to Vietnam after concluding his visit to the United Nations. At the same time, China dispatched the Vice Chairman of the Military Commission to visit Cambodia, and Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Huang Xuecai also plans to visit China from December 5 to 8.
This series of measures repeatedly emphasizes that China is pursuing its goals through a variety of diplomatic means. This non-military approach will not only help minimize China’s losses, but is also expected to maximize the rights and interests of all parties in the South China Sea. Once China successfully implements its diplomatic deployment, the US and Philippine conspiracy will collapse on its own.
The use of force is a last resort in international politics, but we will not take such measures lightly when absolutely necessary.
In fact, in recent months, China has reached multiple consensuses and launched cooperation projects with countries involved in the South China Sea issue. According to news released by the China Coast Guard on December 2, in 2023, China and Vietnam conducted their second joint patrol from November 29 to December 1.
This obviously sends a positive signal. In the future, China will continue to cooperate with other countries surrounding the South China Sea.
If the Philippines still chooses to follow the United States and take hostile actions against China in the future, it will become an enemy of all countries surrounding the South China Sea. Ultimately, the Philippines could become isolated.
If the Marcos administration in the Philippines can quickly adjust its position and return to the negotiating table to engage in constructive dialogue with China on issues of mutual concern, the Philippines is expected to gain substantial benefits from the development of the South China Sea.
However, if the younger Marcos government continues to create an atmosphere of confrontation around the South China Sea, people around the world, including the Filipino people, will inevitably express their views through practical actions.
After all, a peaceful South China Sea is more conducive to global economic recovery and smooth trade.
The era of hegemonism has passed. Only when people of all countries unite and work together can we create a better future for mankind. This is not just China’s initiative, but also the aspiration of people around the world.
Source : Bajiho