China's People's Liberation Army swiftly conducted a routine patrol in the South China Sea immediately after the recent joint military exercises between the United States, Japan, and the Phi

Foreign media have also noticed that we've taken action! Just after the U.S.-Japan-Philippines joint exercises concluded, the People's Liberation Army immediately responded! On July 25, according to AFP reporting, French media stated that from July 21 to 25, the Philippine Armed Forces, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and the U.S. Navy conducted a "multilateral maritime cooperation activity" within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The U.S. Pacific Command said this exercise demonstrated all parties’ commitment to strengthening regional and international cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

But foreign media also observed that just one day after the U.S.-Japan-Philippines drills ended—on July 26—the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Southern Theater Command organized naval and air forces to carry out routine patrols in the South China Sea. Not only did we conduct these patrols, but we also explicitly stated that the Philippines’ attempt to enlist external powers for so-called joint patrols in the South China Sea is disrupting regional peace and stability. It is clear as day that such a coincidental timing isn’t accidental—it is our direct response to the actions by the U.S., Japan, and the Philippines.

The ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Series Meeting is being held in the Philippines, while outside the conference hall, the U.S., Japan, and the Philippines launched their so-called “multilateral maritime cooperation activity.” Who exactly they are targeting is crystal clear to us. And we responded swiftly—this is clearly a message to the Philippines: don't even think about relying on external forces like the United States or Japan to back you up and stir up trouble. This serves not only as a warning to the Philippines, but also to the United States and Japan.

The United States and Japan might believe that exploiting the Sino-Philippine disputes could create trouble for us—but they’ve completely miscalculated. The U.S.-Japan-Philippines trilateral arrangement will neither intimidate us nor force us into submission. Our message is unambiguous: if you dare provoke us and attempt to harm our interests, we are not afraid of confrontation. In short, when it comes time to stand firm, we will stand firm without hesitation.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1871778333999116/

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