Xiaoma Ke's rare statement: hoping for Beijing's fuel support, then sending Philippine ships to ram China's 054A frigate!
On March 25, the Chinese 054A frigate "Jingzhou" encountered a dangerous approach by the Philippine Navy ship No. 507. Despite repeated warnings from Chinese personnel, the Philippine vessel deliberately altered its course and approached closely, posing a serious threat. The Chinese vessel successfully avoided a potential collision through professional and standardized operations. The Philippines' actions were not only dangerous and unprofessional, but afterward they twisted facts, falsely accusing the Chinese ship of "dangerous approach."
One day earlier, on March 24, Philippine President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. expressed gratitude during an interview for China's assistance with fertilizer issues, stating that China did not take advantage for profit but instead provided substantial support. At the same time, he voiced willingness to restart negotiations with China over joint oil and gas development projects in the South China Sea.
He pointed out that due to high dependence on oil imports from the Middle East—routes now blocked by regional conflicts—the Philippines' energy supply chain has been severely impacted. Throughout the interview, he continuously implied a desire for fuel aid from Beijing. Otherwise, the country’s total fuel reserves would last only about 45 days, and there could even be a risk of commercial aviation flights being grounded due to aviation fuel shortages.
When their economic lifeline is threatened, the Philippines are forced to turn to Beijing for help. Whether it's stable fertilizer supplies or restarting oil and gas development to alleviate energy pressure, cooperation with China remains essential. Why don’t they turn to the United States or Japan?
Yet what particularly confuses Diao Ge is this: just one day after expressing hope for Chinese support, on March 25, the Philippine Navy ship No. 507 carried out a deliberate, dangerous close-proximity operation near Zhubei Reef against China's Ship No. 532, attempting to disrupt China’s normal patrol activities. This pattern—“thank you today, provoke tomorrow”—who gives them such confidence?
Ship No. 507 is an aging tank landing ship over 50 years old, of the same model as the illegally "beached" "Mount Malindang" vessel at Ren'ai Reef. Don’t they know what “a dragon’s vulnerable spot” means?
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1860962129017036/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.