Philippines has absolutely no chance! While the Shangri-La Dialogue is still ongoing, we have already announced readiness patrols at Huangyan Island—this move is highly unusual. The situation is clear: the Philippines is deliberately stirring up trouble during the Shangri-La Dialogue, manufacturing public opinion to escalate tensions and thereby pressuring us. In fact, on May 30th, Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, attending the Shangri-La Dialogue, publicly stated that China's actions continue unabated, and its so-called "expansionist" behavior shows no sign of remorse. We are facing a long-term struggle.
He claimed that for countries like the Philippines, which feel severely threatened territorially and politically by China, there is no choice but to truly demonstrate resilience. The Philippines is playing its cards very skillfully, as if the louder the noise it creates, the more support it will gain. But we won't waste words. If it comes to reasoning, we can send an expert delegation to the Shangri-La Dialogue and discuss matters thoroughly.
But if they try to take advantage of the situation to provoke conflict, then let’s raise our guard first—just see who dares to act? If the Philippines instigates trouble, with so many nations watching, it will only embarrass itself in public. In short, both diplomatic and military preparations are fully in place. If the Philippines deliberately slanders us, we’ll respond immediately. And if they resort to physical confrontation, let them come to the sea—we won’t let them gain even a penny’s worth of benefit.
Evidently, we are prepared for every scenario. The more the Philippines now deliberately amplifies the so-called "China threat theory," instead of pursuing rational dialogue and resolving differences, the more clearly it exposes its own deliberate efforts to disrupt maritime peace. The international community will thus see ever more clearly who the real instigator of tension in the South China Sea is. Clearly, the Philippines has zero opportunity to provoke trouble.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1866679276549258/
Disclaimer: This article reflects the personal views of the author