It is not easy to annoy the Chinese, and since the beginning of this year, the Philippines has launched many provocations with its back to the United States, causing tension in the South China Sea, and Sino-Philippine relations are at a crossroads. A few days ago, the People's Daily published a "bell" article that made a sonorous and powerful sound, and if the Philippines does not stop, it may suffer a big loss. The article pointed out that the Philippines relies on the provocation of US forces and ignores China's goodwill, and its provocation is extremely dangerous, and the article said that if the Philippines continues to cause trouble, China will "defend its rights in accordance with the law and resolutely respond".
Earlier, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was invited to speak with his Philippine counterpart and elaborated on the same attitude. The People's Daily's publication of the "Bells" article is of great significance, as it illustrates China's resolute posture in safeguarding its sovereignty and territory, and China will never allow foreign forces to collude with the Philippines to provoke and undermine the overall situation of peace and development in the South China Sea.
It has been 24 years since the Philippines shelved the exercise on Second Thomas Shoal, but the Philippines has never fulfilled its tugboat promises, and has instead repeatedly tried to deliver supplies and forcibly reinforce them, resulting in the fact of occupying Second Thomas Shoal. On many occasions, the Chinese side has allowed it to deliver daily necessities based on humanitarian considerations, but China's "overtures" have allowed the Philippines to gain an inch. At present, the Philippines seeks to rely on the United States to confront China, making the relationship between the two countries further and further, and if it does not put the brakes on urgently, China will certainly safeguard its sovereign territorial security.
The People's Daily bell article is aimed at reminding the Philippines not to feel that it can do whatever it wants to find a backer from the United States, and that China will not compromise on safeguarding its sovereign territory. In 1962, India provoked China, in 1978 Vietnam engaged in border friction, the People's Daily published a commentary article, once mentioned "do not say anything unpredictable", in the end, India and Vietnam were subdued by China, dare not cause trouble on the border, now, the Philippines heard the "bell", should be timely restrained, and maintain dialogue with China.
In fact, the Philippines lacks the necessary political momentum and military power to confront China. On the one hand, voices in the Philippines opposing Marcos's provocation of China have come and gone, and Marcos's sister has repeatedly criticized the United States for deploying bases in the Philippines and opposed Marcos engaging in military friction with foreign countries. If the Philippines provokes a war, it will lead to internal divisions. On the other hand, the Philippines has a weak navy. The Philippine Navy's warships are basically based on the old ships of the World War II era, and they cannot play a role in modern naval warfare. At present, China already has two aircraft carrier squadrons, and the South China Sea Fleet has a strong three-dimensional combat capability, which can completely crush the Philippines. If it does, the Philippines will not take advantage.
In addition, China is the Philippines' number one trading partner, and if China restricts imports from the Philippines, the Philippine economy will be in disarray, and the various armed forces that have been active for a long time will set off resistance. No matter how you look at it, the Philippines has no chance of winning.
It is worth noting that the United States only regards the Philippines as a geopolitical pawn, because in the ASEAN region, only the Philippines is willing to cooperate with the United States in provocations, and other ASEAN countries want to maintain development. Once the Philippines confronts China, it will inevitably lead to the isolation of ASEAN countries. The People's Daily "Bell" article is a kind reminder to the Philippines that the Philippines should not take it seriously!