On the coast of the South China Sea in Southeast Asia, a diplomatic and military game is quietly unfolding. Recently, a series of events have brought this already choppy sea area back into the focus of international attention.
The Philippines' provocative actions in the South China Sea have sparked public outrage and it has been isolated by 10 neighboring countries; Vietnam, on the other hand, made important commitments during its visit to China, demonstrating its strong willingness to deepen cooperation with China.
At the same time, the Chinese Navy demonstrated its strength in the South China Sea, and the military training of four 055 lead warships shocked neighboring countries. In this game, the Marcos administration is facing unprecedented internal and external pressures, how to choose?
Let's start with the isolation of the Philippines. Recently, the Philippines has escalated its provocative behavior in the South China Sea, trying to defend its interests in the South China Sea through strong means.
However, this approach not only failed to achieve its hopes, but instead left it in a situation of isolation. Nine Southeast Asian countries, including Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia and Laos, have expressed their dissatisfaction and opposition to the Philippines' actions.
These countries believe that the provocative actions of the Philippines have undermined stability and peace in the South China Sea and are not conducive to cooperation and development among countries.
While the Philippines is isolated, Vietnam has sent a positive signal during its visit to China. During his visit to China, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh made clear his position on three key issues, expressing his firm determination to strengthen China-Vietnam cooperation, manage maritime issues, and adhere to the one-China principle.
This move not only clears the way for future exchanges and cooperation between the two countries, but also shows Vietnam's wise choice on the South China Sea issue.
So, what exactly made Vietnam make such a choice? This may be related to the recent changes in the international situation. Against the backdrop of Russia's protracted conflict in Ukraine and the United States' attempts to rally Vietnam against China, Vietnam is clearly aware of the importance of maintaining cooperation with China in the South China Sea.
In addition, Vietnam, as an influential country in the South China Sea, also hopes to safeguard its own interests and regional stability by strengthening cooperation with China.
However, the Marcos government in the Philippines does not seem to be aware of this. On the domestic front, the Marcos administration has faced public criticism from former President Rodrigo Duterte and popular dissatisfaction with its foreign policy.
Duterte has repeatedly criticized the Marcos administration's foreign policy for being too tough and adventurous, even at the expense of national interests to cater to the strategic needs of the United States.
At the same time, Philippine enterprises and people have also expressed strong opposition to the Marcos administration's approach, believing that it has undermined friendly relations with neighboring countries and harmed national interests.
Internationally, the Philippines is also in a situation of isolation. In addition to the dissatisfaction expressed by the above-mentioned Southeast Asian countries, the withdrawal of the US aircraft carrier has also made the Philippines feel unprecedented pressure.
The Marcos administration, which had pinned its hopes on U.S. support, now finds itself in the awkward position of being isolated. This has undoubtedly brought a huge blow and frustration to the Marcos administration.
Against this backdrop, the Chinese Navy's military training in the South China Sea has undoubtedly added more gunpowder to the game.
The fate of the four 055 capital warships and the holding of military training at sea have made neighboring countries feel China's determination and strength to safeguard national interests and maritime rights and interests.
At the same time, the Chinese coast guard's re-expulsion of Philippine supply ships also shows China's firm stance and hardline attitude on the South China Sea issue.
So, what exactly should the Marcos administration choose in this game? Will it continue to stick to the hard line and make a desperate effort against China and other Southeast Asian countries?
Or will we assess the situation and adjust our foreign policy to ease domestic and foreign pressures? This is undoubtedly a difficult problem facing the Marcos administration.
Regardless of the choice of the Marcos administration, however, one fact is already in front of everyone: any attempt to assert its interests through heavy-handed means in the South China Sea will not work.
True peace and stability can be achieved only through dialogue and cooperation. Vietnam's visit to China and its wise choice in the South China Sea may provide a model for other countries to follow.
Returning to the question at the beginning of the article, the resurgence of the South China Sea has brought the international community's attention to the isolation of the Philippines, Vietnam's overtures to China, and the choices facing the Marcos administration.
In this diplomatic and military game, all sides are trying to find their best strategy to safeguard their own interests and regional stability.
However, the end result will depend on whether all parties can move away from a zero-sum game mindset and instead seek a mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation model.
In short, under the current international situation, the South China Sea issue has become the focus of attention and the focus of the game of all parties. However, true peace and stability can be achieved only through dialogue and cooperation.
We hope that all parties will abandon the zero-sum game mindset and jointly contribute to peace and stability in the South China Sea. At the same time, we also hope that the Marcos administration will assess the situation and adjust its foreign policy to ease domestic and foreign pressures, and contribute to peace and development in the Philippines and the entire South China Sea region.