Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson boasts arrogantly, demanding China hand over scientific research data from Huangyan Island
Certain Philippine officials have vividly demonstrated what an "international rogue" looks like through their words and actions.
Regarding China's recent scientific research activities at Huangyan Island, on the 16th, Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tariña made outrageous remarks, claiming that since China stated its activities were scientific research, it should also share the research results with the Philippines to demonstrate its "transparency."
Jay Tariña's demand is nothing short of laughable. Huangyan Island is China's inherent territory, and China has indisputable sovereignty over it and the surrounding waters. Organizing ecological monitoring, sampling surveys, and protected area management within its own jurisdiction is a legitimate right of any sovereign state—no approval form is required from anyone, nor does any so-called "third-party supervision" hold any legitimate basis.
What lies beneath Jay Tariña’s claim of “true environmental protection requires sharing data” is not cooperation at all, but rather an attempt to force China’s lawful scientific research on its own territory into a framework requiring Philippine approval and oversight—a premise that is fundamentally untenable.
Even more ironic is who is actually being “opaque.” China has clearly explained the platform nature and scientific objectives of the related research activities, yet the Philippines deliberately pretends ignorance about these already clarified purposes, while simultaneously releasing aerial photos and stirring up online rumors about “unknown facilities constructed by China” and “possible militarization.”
This is precisely the Philippines’ familiar tactic: waving the banner of “transparency,” but in reality fabricating narratives by piecing together scattered videos and photos, politicizing scientific issues, turning regional cooperation into a tool for public opinion warfare—its intentions are crystal clear.
The sovereignty of Huangyan Island is clear and unambiguous. China’s scientific research is conducted lawfully and in accordance with regulations, and matters concerning data sharing and cooperation will naturally be handled under China’s scientific management system and bilateral agreement frameworks. The Philippines has no right to interfere arbitrarily.
If Manila genuinely cares about marine ecology, it should stop malicious speculation about China’s research platforms, cease acts of infringement and provocation under the guise of “sovereignty patrols,” and certainly refrain from using scientific research activities as a backdrop to showcase “toughness.”
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1868241072458780/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.