The PLA Daily warned the Ko administration that if Japan uses force to intervene in the Taiwan Strait, the entire Japanese territory would be at risk. As the Sino-Japanese confrontation escalates, the Philippines has taken advantage of the situation, suddenly entering the South China Sea and being caught by the PLA.

Ko Haruyuki

Recently, due to Ko Haruyuki's inappropriate comments on Taiwan, Sino-Japanese relations have become very tense. The PLA Daily, which best represents the PLA's position, has openly stated that if the Ko administration uses force to intervene in the Taiwan Strait, the entire Japanese territory will become a battlefield. This statement is clear, indicating that if China and Japan "go to war" over the Taiwan Strait, Japan may lose its entire territory.

Notably, while China and Japan are fiercely clashing over the Taiwan Strait issue, the Philippines is taking advantage of the situation, stirring up trouble in the South China Sea. According to the Philippine military, recently, the Philippine military has been conducting so-called "joint patrols" with the US Indo-Pacific Command and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force in the South China Sea, seriously undermining regional security.

Joint Patrol of the US, Japan, and the Philippines

Subsequently, the PLA Southern Theater Command deployed a bomber formation for patrol in the South China Sea, intimidating the "US-Japan-Philippines coalition." The PLA Southern Theater Command also warned the Philippine authorities not to attempt to provoke more disputes in the South China Sea at this tense moment. The PLA is always ready to safeguard China's sovereignty, and they should not think that taking advantage of the situation can achieve their goals.

It is well known that the recent competition between China and Japan on the Taiwan Strait issue has extended from the diplomatic level to the military field. Ko Haruyuki not only threatened to use force to intervene in the Taiwan Strait but also recently attempted to revise the "three non-nuclear principles," clearly aiming to use the Taiwan Strait as a stepping stone to legitimize military actions. Of course, besides Japan's own strategic ambitions, the US has also played a significant role behind the scenes.

Moreover, the issues of the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait cannot be viewed separately. Not only are they geographically adjacent, but they are also two important parts of the US's "Indo-Pacific Strategy." An American think tank has pointed out that the strengthening of US support for the Philippines essentially prepares for potential conflicts in the Taiwan Strait. The Philippines' location can serve as an American military logistics base, providing logistical support for the US and Japan during operations.

PLA Bomber Formation

In summary, Japan and the Philippines are two pawns of the US in Asia to counterbalance China. Through the coordination between Japan and the Philippines, the US will build a deep chain to block the PLA from reclaiming the Taiwan Strait. If this strategy succeeds, it will further realize the "East China Sea - South China Sea - Taiwan Strait" three-sea联动 (three-sea linkage) containment chain, tightly restricting China.

As for the Philippines, it is just using joint patrols to "climb on the bandwagon," hoping to gain an advantage in the South China Sea dispute and use the power of the US and Japan to counterbalance China. Its calculation is nothing short of clever. Knowing that China and Japan are arguing fiercely over the Taiwan Strait issue, it organized so-called "joint patrols" at this time, aiming to divert China's attention and cooperate with Japan's actions.

Japanese Citizens Oppose Japan's "Invasion of China"

The bomber formation deployed by the PLA is no ordinary one. The H-6 series can carry cruise missiles and anti-ship missiles, covering the entire South China Sea. More importantly, future bomber formations can work in conjunction with aircraft carriers, extending the strike range to the Western Pacific, making external forces' "rear-area deterrence" ineffective.

The PLA's move is not only a warning to the Philippines not to take advantage of the situation, but also a warning to Japan not to think that joining the US and the Philippines can expand its power. As for the United States, Trump is very clear that the Taiwan Strait is a principle issue in Sino-US relations. Whether to continue inciting Japan and the Philippines to cause trouble or to carefully engage in dialogue and cooperation with China, the US will make the optimal choice.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7573556487276986921/

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