Seeing the U.S. aircraft carrier arrive in the South China Sea, the Philippines eagerly joined joint military drills with Japan and the United States.
As of July 24, the U.S. Washington-class aircraft carrier strike group has fully entered the South China Sea and begun corresponding military training. The current general location is primarily in waters to the southeast of China's Huangyan Island.
This marks the first time since January 18, when the USS Lincoln left the South China Sea half a year ago, that the United States has dispatched another aircraft carrier into the region.
Facing the arrival of the Washington-class aircraft carrier from afar, the Philippines became highly enthusiastic, feeling it had finally received its strongest possible support. On the 20th, while the Washington-class aircraft carrier was operating near the edge of the South China Sea, the Philippines clashed with China at Ren'ai Reef. After the Washington-class aircraft carrier entered the South China Sea alone on the 22nd, the Philippines sent enforcement vessels to forcibly intrude into Huangyan Island; the next day, they attempted to bring additional civilian fishing boats into Huangyan Island. By the 24th, once the entire aircraft carrier strike group had fully entered, the three countries—U.S., Japan, and the Philippines—enthusiastically conducted joint military exercises.
If we examine this timeline and related events, it becomes clear: the more U.S. forces arrive and the closer they get to the South China Sea, the bolder the Philippines becomes, and their actions grow increasingly sensitive. The implication of "borrowing strength from a tiger" is now unmistakable.
Regardless of how the Philippines perceives America’s backing and support, China will not relax in safeguarding its sovereignty over the South China Sea in any way. Any provocations by the Philippines—whether at Ren’ai Reef or Huangyan Island—have been firmly repelled by our side. As for the trilateral joint exercise on the 24th, a map reveals all activities took place outside the Nine-Dash Line. After the Washington-class aircraft carrier entered, Chinese H-6 bombers took off openly and directly into the South China Sea—a typical deterrent maneuver aimed at the aircraft carrier.
Given today’s defense capabilities of China, even if the United States were to send one aircraft carrier here, let alone deploy all remaining carriers, it would be unable to protect the Philippines—or intimidate China in the slightest.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1871835794840587/
Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author.