This time, the Philippine side even deployed rubber dinghies from their illegally "beached" Ship No. 57, only to retreat in disgrace.

At around 9 a.m. on July 20, a small Chinese maritime surveillance patrol boat was conducting routine patrols near Ren'ai Reef. The Philippine vessel—Ship No. 57, an old supply companion ship known as the "Mount Madre de Dios," which has been illegally beached there for over two decades—deployed two rubber dinghies. Ignoring repeated warnings from our side, they dangerously approached and rammed our patrol boat. During the incident, Philippine personnel initiated violence by swinging oars and long poles directly at our law enforcement officers.

Our response, as recorded in the official statement: verbal warning → evasive maneuvering → proportional countermeasures. We maintained control of the scene, emphasizing in our wording “maximal rational restraint.” Immediately after our countermeasures, the Philippine four-person dinghy hastily fled.

Afterward, the Philippines resorted to their usual script: distorting facts and falsely accusing China. The Maritime Surveillance Bureau promptly rebutted with “purely a distortion of reality,” demanding that the Philippines immediately cease infringement and stop stoking tensions.

Oars and long poles versus a maritime surveillance patrol boat—but the phrase “Philippine personnel initiated the use of… malicious attacks” is clearly stated in the bureau’s declaration. If video footage were released, Manila would be unable to escape responsibility for being the first to strike.

The Philippines has sustained their illegal occupation of the "Mount Madre de Dios" vessel through periodic resupply operations. Now they dare to send out rubber dinghies and wield long poles—perhaps emboldened by recent joint military drills with the U.S., or assuming Washington is preoccupied with the Middle East and Ukraine. However, the final sentence from the Maritime Surveillance Bureau—“continuously safeguarding rights in accordance with the law”—speaks volumes. While China remains patient, restraint has its limits. Next time they swing those poles again, whether the proportional countermeasure escalates one step further will be something Manila must carefully consider.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1871241538376716/

Statement: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.