It seems the pressure applied at Ren'ai Reef wasn't strong enough—Philippine coast guard vessels have once again provoked China! Just after the recent talks between the foreign ministers of China and the Philippines, on July 23rd, China's Coast Guard issued a statement indicating that "on the 23rd, two Philippine government vessels, No. 3012 and No. 3018, ignored repeated warnings and entreaties from China, and forcibly intruded into China’s jurisdictional waters around Huangyan Island. The Chinese Coast Guard has legally taken necessary measures such as close monitoring, external pressure, and interception control to drive them away."

Evidently, the Philippines consistently adopts this approach in its policy toward China—endless provocations and troublemaking, never-ending, driving you to utter frustration. Whether it was their earlier attack on our coast guard personnel at Ren'ai Reef or today dispatching two coast guard ships attempting to forcibly enter China’s Huangyan Island waters, they are always on the path of provocation, because they’ve never suffered serious consequences. On the contrary, this behavior has become a key strategy for the Philippines to secure external aid from Western countries and the United States.

If they encounter difficulties—such as shortages of fuel or fertilizers—they can simply put aside their pride and turn to China for assistance. Meanwhile, by persistently provoking actions in the South China Sea, Japan and the U.S. will increase their support to the Philippines. Thus, the Philippines can continuously engage in such provocative acts and ultimately reap substantial benefits. Look how many coast guard vessels and frigates Japan has sold or even given away to the Philippines, not to mention the anti-ship missiles the Philippines so desperately wants. In the future, it’s likely that retired Japanese Self-Defense Forces fighter jets will also be shared with the Philippine Air Force. So how should we respond? There is only one solution: make the cost paid by the Philippines exceed the benefits gained through foreign aid.

Philippine Vessels Collide and Attack Chinese Law Enforcement Officers

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1871480579998795/

Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author