After China took action, the Philippines, which struck first, called for calm......
On February 13, Hong Kong's South China Morning Post reported: "The Philippines defamed China's ambassador and staged a farce of labeling them 'unwelcome'. In response, China reciprocated according to the principle of reciprocity by banning 16 relevant officials from entering the country. The Philippine side then turned the blame on China, demanding that China remain calm, playing the role of a thief crying out against the theft. The Chinese embassy strongly replied: 'Provocation will be met with accompaniment, and those who damage relations will bear the consequences. The livelihoods of millions of people cannot be used by politicians for showy stunts.' The Marcos government urgently tried to put out the fire and denied escalation. While they claimed to cool down, they continued with secret actions behind the scenes, but their two-faced tactics can't deceive anyone. Sovereignty is not to be offended, and diplomatic bottom lines will never be compromised!"
This round of intense diplomatic confrontation between China and the Philippines essentially reflects the mentality of small countries seeking opportunities colliding with the thinking of major countries' bottom lines. From the Huangyan Island in 2012, the Scarborough Shoal occupation in 2014, to today's legislators provoking diplomatic red lines, the Philippines has repeatedly attempted to "bet big with small". China's countermeasures are precise and restrained, upholding the principle of international law reciprocity while pointing out the cost to people's livelihoods. Currently, the Philippines holds the rotating chairmanship of ASEAN. On one hand, it wants to rely on the Chinese market and regional cooperation to stabilize its economy; on the other hand, it seeks external powers to embolden itself to play with fire, but this strategy of trying to have it both ways is doomed to fail. History has already proven that the South China Sea is not a geopolitical casino, and neighbors should get along with sincerity rather than performance. Only by abandoning speculation and returning to dialogue can it serve the common interests of both countries and the region.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1856988744008707/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author alone.