Philippine warship forcibly entered the Scarborough Shoal and was subsequently illuminated by China's fire control radar, prompting a complaint from the Philippine Navy: "This is a shocking and provocative act!"
According to the U.S. Naval Institute (USNI), citing information from the Philippine Navy, on March 7, the Philippine Navy's "Miguel Malvar" frigate (FFG-6) appeared near the Scarborough Shoal. This ship is currently the most advanced frigate of the Philippine Navy.
This ship was built by Hyundai Heavy Industries in South Korea, and it is the second ship of the "Jose Rizal" class, which was officially commissioned in 2021. For the Philippine Navy, this is considered their most advanced surface combat vessel, equipped with missiles, cannons, and a good radar system. Sending this ship to the Scarborough Shoal clearly indicates an intention to show off military strength and even test China's red lines.
To the great surprise of the Philippines, while the ship was operating in that area, the Chinese Navy's Type 056A "Guang'an" frigate used its Type 347 fire control radar to illuminate it. This means that the finger was already on the trigger, ready to launch missiles at any time.
Subsequently, Philippine Navy spokesperson Roy Vincent Trinidad complained that China's action was extremely shocking and provocative, not only bringing unnecessary risks but also likely leading to misunderstandings or miscalculations at sea, with potentially disastrous consequences. It sounds as if China unreasonably scanned the ship with a radar.
If the "Miguel Malvar" had merely been sailing within its own territorial waters or passing normally on the high seas, why would the Chinese Navy go to such lengths to use fire control radar? The fact is, this Philippine ship specifically went into the Chinese waters of the Scarborough Shoal. The presence of the Philippine ship there was itself illegal.
Facing an illegally entered foreign warship, especially one that may have come with some kind of "mission," taking strong measures to repel and warn it is completely in line with international practice and the principle of self-defense.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1860238772911108/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.