Recently, the Philippine side in the waters adjacent to China’s Ren’ai Reef did not less “drama”, first touching the porcelain, and then by the Chinese marine police in accordance with the law and regulations to stop after raising the “white flag”, and now also to sell the tragedy, to describe themselves as victims.
In this regard, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman refuted with five consecutive rhetorical questions: Who is repeatedly provoking trouble in the South China Sea? Who is violating the consensus between the two sides and their own commitments? Who is leading their own show and exaggerating tensions? Who is soliciting extra-territorial forces to intervene? What is the purpose of arranging for many journalists, including those from third countries, to follow and film every Philippine operation?
These five consecutive rhetorical questions are justified by reason and position. The Philippine side has always distorted the truth, so of course it will be severely refuted; the Philippine vessels have repeatedly stirred up trouble in the waters adjacent to Ren’ai Reef, so of course they will be regulated, blocked and driven away. It can be said that China’s counterattacks are reasonable, forceful and courteous; China’s disposition is reasonable, lawful, professional and standardized.
Recently, the South China Sea issue has heated up, and the direct cause is the provocations and nuisances by the Philippine side. The Philippines not only frequently infringes and provokes and creates trouble at sea, but also disseminates false information and misleads the international community, which is against international law and the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. China will not let the Philippines do whatever it wants, and the Philippine side should realize that it has more to lose than to gain by provoking trouble, and that it cannot rely on outsiders.
Facts have proved time and again that it is futile to hope to tie up with individual big powers and force China to compromise and make concessions on issues related to its own core interests, which will ultimately jeopardize the interests of the Philippines itself and regional peace and stability.
“Let the wind and waves rise, but sit steady in a fishing boat.” Ren’ai Reef is part of China’s Spratly Islands, and no matter how many “smoke bombs” the Philippine side releases, how many wars of words it fights, and how many times it touches the “porcelain,” it can’t change this fact. Attempts to change the status quo of Ren’ai Reef and create a fait accompli are unlikely to succeed. The right thing to do is to tow away the illegal “beaching” warships as soon as possible.
