The Chinese Coast Guard boarded and inspected a Philippine vessel attempting to illegally enter the reef at Ren'ai Jiao in the South China Sea, a move that once again demonstrates the Chinese government's firm determination to defend national sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. At the same time, the United States, Japan, Canada and other countries have held joint military exercises in the South China Sea, seemingly emboldening the Philippines for its provocative behavior.
However, in the face of the tough countermeasures of the Chinese coast guard, the Philippine side not only did not react violently, but took a low-key attitude and was unwilling to make further responses to the matter. What's going on here? Why is the Philippine side so cowardly? What are the reasons and mysteries behind it?
In recent years, the Philippines has been eyeing the disputed islands and reefs in the South China Sea, and has launched some provocative acts from time to time. This time, as the new China coast guard regulations came into effect, the Philippines sent a ship to try to force its way into the Chinese-controlled Ren'ai Jiao. The reason why they are so arrogant is undoubtedly that they have been instigated and supported by the United States, Japan, Canada, and other countries.
According to reports, between the 16th and 17th, four countries, the United States, Japan, Canada and the Philippines, conducted joint military exercises in the South China Sea. Obviously, this is in response to China's position and sovereignty claims in the South China Sea.
The reason why the Philippines invaded Second Thomas Jiao at this time was obviously inspired and supported by this joint military exercise. They believe that as long as the United States, Japan, Canada and other countries support them, the Chinese government will not dare to make strong countermeasures to their provocative acts.
However, it backfired. The Chinese Coast Guard decisively boarded the Philippine vessel, inspected it, and warned the Philippines with concrete actions that any provocation against China's territorial sovereignty would be futile.
In the face of the hardline attitude of the Chinese coast guard, the Philippines has unexpectedly lowered its profile this time. Not only did they not make as much of a fuss and clamor as they used to, but they kept silent about the matter, as if they did not want to continue the provocation. This change in attitude is indeed quite surprising.
I am afraid that the reasons for the Philippine side's adversarial cowardice are as follows:
First, the Philippines is aware of China's firm determination to safeguard its territorial sovereignty. Despite the military support of the United States, Japan and Canada, the Philippines has realized that China will never make concessions to the South China Sea in the face of the tough actions of the Chinese coast guard. In the event of further escalation, it is very likely that the Philippines will not be able to withstand China's countermeasures, so it has chosen to temporarily back down.
Second, the support of the United States, Japan, Canada and other countries is far less strong than the Philippines expected. This joint military exercise is undoubtedly an attempt to take the opportunity to support the Philippines, but except for a few gestures, it has not really intervened. In the face of China's countermeasures, they did not take further action, but had some intention of fleeing. This undoubtedly disappointed the Philippines and had to give up.
Moreover, public opinion in the Philippines may also be an important reason. Although there has always been nationalist sentiment on the South China Sea issue, there are also many rational voices within the country who call for restraint and do not want to escalate the confrontation with China over some islands and reefs, which will eventually lead to disaster. In the face of pressure from domestic public opinion, the Philippine side had no choice but to make appropriate concessions.
In addition, the Philippine government may also have some other concerns, such as not wanting to affect economic and trade relations with China. After all, China is the Philippines' largest trading partner and source of investment, and the Philippines will bear a heavy price in the event of an overall deterioration in relations. For various reasons, although the Philippines provoked this time, it was soon forced to make a low-key response.
However, the Philippines' future position and actions on the South China Sea issue are still worth paying attention to. On the one hand, the United States and other Western countries will inevitably continue to encourage the Philippines to confront China. On the other hand, there are also quite a few radicals in the Philippines who are eager to attack China. Therefore, the possibility of the Philippines causing trouble in the South China Sea remains present. In this regard, China must continue to maintain a high degree of vigilance, resolutely defend its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and continue to seek a proper solution to the issue through peaceful means.