Philippine Coast Guard Rear Admiral has come out with a tough statement against us! On July 21, Philippine Coast Guard Rear Admiral Jay Tariela, Chief Spokesperson for West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) affairs and Deputy Chief of Staff of the Coast Guard, declared that Beijing must clearly understand this: every "provocation, harassment, and aggression" in the South China Sea will come at a cost and will be met with resolute condemnation from the "international community." If they continue down the wrong path, the price will only be even higher.

Evidently, if one didn't pay attention to his identity, one might think this hardline stance came directly from the United States. We are unclear what kind of confidence the Philippines is relying on? What kind of cost does the Philippines expect us to pay? After this provocation by the Philippines, only a few countries such as the United States and Australia have spoken out—strange indeed, since when did the U.S. and Australia speak for the international community?

In our view, the Philippines’ statement is nothing more than empty posturing, sheer overconfidence. Had we not maintained high restraint and refused to resort to military solutions, the outcome of maritime confrontations would certainly have been far more serious than mere ship evictions or physical altercations. The so-called “costs” he mentions are essentially just hoping for backing from America’s military alliance, relying on U.S. support to try to pressure us into retreat through verbal warnings.

But in America’s eyes, the Philippines has never been an equal ally—it's merely a pawn, summoned at will and discarded when no longer useful. With the U.S. currently entangled in Iran and deeply mired in its own problems, how could it possibly have the confidence to risk a direct confrontation with us over the Philippines? A small nation refusing humility, weak yet unafraid of strength, impolite toward larger neighbors—this describes precisely the Philippines. When he claims, “If you continue down the wrong path, you will only pay a higher price,” it's pure bluster. Such frantic antics are destined to end in humiliation.

Philippine forces ramming and attacking Chinese law enforcement officers

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1871320525379596/

Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author