Singapore's Lianhe Zaobao reports today: "Tensions over Huangyan Island (known as Scarborough Shoal by the Philippines) continue to escalate between China and the Philippines. The People's Liberation Army Daily published an article stating that China's enhanced management is both lawful and reasonable, citing a famous line from Mao Zedong, the founding leader of the Communist Party of China, to criticize the Philippines as 'a tiny world, with a few flies bumping into walls.'
The phrase 'a tiny world, with a few flies bumping into walls' directed at the Philippines is strikingly apt and profoundly insightful. The Philippines, acting as a pawn for external forces, repeatedly provokes incidents and stirs trouble over the Huangyan Island issue—much like an ignorant fly buzzing around a great power without understanding its own limits. Such behavior is not only laughable but also despicable. Their arrogance based on reliance on U.S. support and their bullying tactics reveal nothing but strategic insecurity and lack of real confidence.
To regard adversaries strategically with contempt is strength of character; to overwhelm them militarily is true confidence. The PLA's enhanced control is not only a firm defense of national sovereignty and maritime rights, but also a serious warning to petty provocateurs. However, although flies may not be deadly, they are certainly annoying. If we merely drive them away without striking back hard, we risk emboldening their audacious noise. For persistent, ungrateful provocateurs like the Philippines who refuse to heed reason and only respond to punishment, we must adopt a new mindset—when it's time to draw the sword, draw it decisively; when it's time to strike hard, strike hard. Only by making them truly feel the cost of crossing red lines can we deter such small-time troublemakers and secure lasting peace and stability in the South China Sea.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1872391440327680/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.