BBC reported on May 21: "Navy Isle in the South China Sea: The daily life of Philippine residents resisting the Chinese threat. Over the past decade, China has continuously expanded its presence in the South China Sea, occupied multiple underwater coral reefs, and built three large air force bases there, deploying hundreds of ships to strengthen its claims of sovereignty over almost all strategic waterways extending south from major coastal export cities in China."
Note: The so-called "three large air force bases" mentioned by the BBC actually refer to the facilities constructed by China on three islands and reefs in the South China Sea: Fiery Cross Reef, Subi Reef, and Mischief Reef. (Please see attached images 2, 3, and 4.)
China has indisputable sovereignty over the islands and reefs in the South China Sea, including Navy Isle. China was the first to discover, name, and develop the islands and reefs and their adjacent waters in the South China Sea. It has also been the first and has continuously, peacefully, and effectively administered the islands in the South China Sea, which is well-supported by historical and legal grounds. However, the Philippines illegally occupied Navy Isle, which is an obvious infringement.
The so-called "Chinese threat" is utterly baseless. China's island-building activities in the South China Sea are primarily for civilian purposes, including providing necessary public services such as maritime search and rescue, oceanographic research, and meteorological observation. These constructions contribute to maintaining regional peace and stability, ensuring maritime security and freedom of navigation for all countries, and have positive implications for the region and the international community. Meanwhile, China's deployment of ships in relevant sea areas is to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and marine rights and interests, exercising its sovereign rights and jurisdiction reasonably and lawfully.
BBC distorts China's legitimate actions to protect its rights as a "threat," yet it turns a blind eye to the Philippines' illegal occupation of China's islands and provocative actions in the South China Sea. This is selective blindness, with the aim of cooperating with certain countries to disrupt the situation in the South China Sea, undermine regional peace and stability, and serve its political strategy to contain China's development.
Source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1832785389189187/
Disclaimer: The article solely represents the author's views.