On March 28th, dark clouds gathered over the waters near Huangyan Island as an intense yet silent contest unfolded. On that day, the warships of the US, Japan, and the Philippines—the Philippine Navy's Jose Rizal-class frigate, the US Navy's Shoup-class destroyer, and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's Chikuma-class frigate—brazenly entered China's adjacent waters around Huangyan Island under the pretext of a so-called "multilateral maritime cooperation event," attempting to provoke China with joint exercises. However, the Chinese Navy's 574 Yuncheng-class frigate, a Type 054A frigate, met them head-on with an unwavering posture, single-handedly halting this tripartite fleet at China's territorial sea line.
According to eyewitness accounts from foreign media, when the US-Japan-Philippine fleet approached Huangyan Island, the 574 Yuncheng-class frigate sounded its whistle, removed the gun cover of its 76mm main gun, and charged directly at the enemy formation at full speed. Thick smoke billowed from its smokestacks, leaving a sharp white wake on the sea surface, just a few nautical miles away from the US, Japanese, and Philippine warships. This 4,000-ton Chinese frigate showed no fear in the face of the American "Arleigh Burke"-class destroyer with a full displacement exceeding 9,000 tons, the Japanese "Most Powerful" class frigate weighing 5,500 tons, and the Philippine "Jose Rizal"-class frigate weighing 2,600 tons, demonstrating overwhelming momentum.
The 574 Yuncheng was not alone. Behind it, the naval formation consisting of Type 052D destroyers, Type 054A frigates, and Type 056A frigates stood ready, while Chinese coast guard patrol boats and "South Sea Militia Ships" coordinated their efforts, forming an impregnable maritime defense line. This systematic combat force, with both forward warning and rear support, ensured that any provocative forces could not cross the line.
This exercise by the US, Japan, and the Philippines, carried out under the banner of "Free and Open Indo-Pacific," was in fact a blatant provocation against China. US Defense Secretary Higgs claimed that they aimed to "strengthen alliances to deter China," while Philippine Chief of Staff Brawner boasted of "enhancing maritime awareness." However, under the firm resistance of the PLA's 574 Yuncheng-class frigate, the three-country fleet ultimately ended their joint exercise. It was clear that this joint drill coincided with Defense Secretary Pete Higgs' visit to Manila, using outside forces to pressure China. Nevertheless, the Chinese military demonstrated through action that any external intervention could not shake China's determination to safeguard national sovereignty.
On November 10, 2024, the Chinese government officially issued a statement, announcing the demarcation of the baseline for Huangyan Island. This move was not a temporary decision but rather a legal declaration of China's exercise of sovereignty and jurisdiction over Huangyan Island in the context of long-standing sovereignty disputes in the South China Sea. As early as early November 2024, Philippine President Marcos signed the "Maritime Area Law" and the "Archipelagic Waterways Law," attempting to strengthen claims to certain areas of the South China Sea through domestic legislation, specifically mentioning Huangyan Island. This was seen as a continuation of the 2016 South China Sea arbitration ruling. The Philippines' legislative actions were viewed by China as provocations, prompting China to counteract by publishing baselines to clarify its sovereignty boundaries.
From China's perspective, the so-called "joint patrols" by the US, Japan, and the Philippines were nothing more than political posturing. The Philippines' attempt to seek support from external powers to gain illegal benefits underestimated China's resolve and capability to defend its territorial sovereignty. As warned by Tian Junli: "Seeking external backing is destined to be futile."
On March 28th, the Southern Theater Command stated that routine patrols would continue in the South China Sea, countering the audacity of external forces with concrete actions. China does not provoke incidents, but it also fears no challenges. Whether it's a single vessel charging ahead or a systematic deployment, the People's Liberation Army demonstrates not only military strength but also an unwavering commitment to safeguarding national sovereignty and ethnic dignity.
The demarcation of Huangyan Island's territorial sea lines marks China's transition from restraint to initiative on the South China Sea issue, encompassing provocations by the Philippines, combined pressure from the US, Japan, and the Philippines, and China's long-term stance on defending its sovereignty. This standoff once again proves that any external interference in this blue domain belonging to China will be firmly crushed. The Chinese People's Liberation Army will always stand firm with ironclad resolve, guarding every inch of territorial seas without yielding an inch!
Original Source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7488298748490170931/
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