Philippines risks being burned playing with fire
On Saturday, the Philippines once again sent two coast guard ships and a supply ship to trespass into the waters adjacent to China’s Ren’ai Reef in the South China Sea in an attempt to transport construction materials to the disintegrating World War II warship it illegally grounded on the reef in 1999.
Despite China’s repeated warnings, the Philippine ships tried to force their way toward Ren’ai Reef. The China Coast Guard vessels were left with no choice but to implement interceptions, and evictions in accordance with laws and regulations. These actions were carried out in a restrained and professional manner.
It is Manila that has taken the initiative to stir up trouble and undermine regional peace and stability in the South China Sea time and again.
By grounding the BRP Sierra Madre on the reef, Manila hoped to change the “status quo” of the reef. In 1999, China immediately lodged stern representations and demanded that the Philippines tow the warship away. The Philippines has repeatedly promised to do so. But not only has it not fulfilled that promise, it is now attempting to conduct large-scale repairs of the warship and augmentation to the site to establish its permanent occupation of Ren’ai Reef.
The current relations between China and the Philippines are facing serious difficulties. The root cause is that Manila has changed its policy stance, reneged on the commitments it has made to Beijing, continued to provoke and cause trouble in the waters, and undermined China’s legitimate rights and core interests. The Philippines should act with caution, as China-Philippines relations are at a crossroad.
The top priority is to properly handle and control the current maritime situation. The existing disputes should be resolved through consultation between Beijing and Manila. China has always been committed to that.
However, if the Philippines misjudges the situation, insists on going its own way, or even colludes with malicious external forces to continue causing trouble and chaos in the South China Sea, China will respond resolutely to safeguard its rights in accordance with the law. The Philippines will bear the responsibility for all the consequences arising from its playing with fire.