South China Sea ‘Collision’ Farce Reveals US Conspiracy

Recently, there has been another controversy in the South China Sea: Two Philippine civilian ships and two coast guard ships trespassed into the waters adjacent to Ren'ai Reef in China's Nansha Islands without permission from the Chinese government. They recklessly collided with Chinese Coast Guard ships enforcing the law at the scene, as well as regular fishing vessels. Not only that, but the Philippines hit back and accused China of "deliberate provocation." The U.S. State Department also immediately issued a statement condemning China’s legitimate protection of its lawful rights and its enforcement actions, citing the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty to support the violation and provocation by the Philippines.

No matter how you look at it, this seems like a pre-planned staged incident with the U.S. and the Philippines singing in harmony and performing a double act. Who is right and who is wrong in this incident? Video footage released by China’s Coast Guard shows that on Oct. 22, the Philippine ships ignored China’s stern warning and approached the Chinese vessel in a dangerous and unsafe manner, resulting in a collision. The China Coast Guard took the necessary enforcement measures against the Philippine vessels in accordance with the law and operated professionally and with restraint at the scene. There are pictures showing the truth; what is black cannot be white.

As for the sovereignty of Ren'ai Reef, there has long been international consensus: It is part of China's Nansha Islands and is Chinese territory in accordance with international law, including the United Nations Charter. Twenty-four years ago, a Philippine warship illegally ran aground on Ren'ai Reef, seriously violating China's territorial sovereignty. In order to resolve the issue, China exercised great restraint and patience, maintaining intensive communication with the Philippines through multiple levels and channels, requesting that the Philippines not transport construction materials to the illegally grounded ship and to tow the warship away as soon as possible. In the past and for a long time, China and the Philippines effectively managed the situation on Ren'ai Reef through communication and reached an understanding about it.

However, since the beginning of this year, the Philippines has been making constant moves in the South China Sea, repeatedly intruding into the waters near Huangyan Island and Ren’Ai Reef and deliberately creating trouble. The Philippines has also intentionally spread false information in an attempt to portray itself as a victim to an international audience and mislead the outside world into thinking that China is bullying a small country.

Scholars who have long studied Southeast Asian issues have told the International Review that the biggest factor behind the Philippines' abnormal behavior is the United States. The U.S. is currently accelerating its Indo-Pacific Strategy to contain and suppress China, and Southeast Asian countries are a crucial part of it. Senior U.S. officials have frequently visited Southeast Asian countries in recent times, with the main intention of forcing these countries to choose sides between China and the U.S. and using South China Sea disputes to undermine the peace and stability of the region.

Among Association of Southeast Asian Nations countries, the Philippines has a "special" relationship with the United States. The Philippines was once a U.S. colony and to this day, the United States still has a large influence over the foreign and security policies of its "ally," the Philippines. After the new Philippine government came to power in June 2022, the United States increased its pressure and incentives and the Philippines showed an obvious shift toward Washington.

In February, the Philippines agreed to grant the U.S. access to four more military bases. In April, the U.S. and the Philippines held their largest-ever joint military exercise. In July, the United States and the Philippines jointly hyped up the seventh anniversary of the South China Sea Arbitration Award in an attempt to stir up disputes. In recent times, the United States has openly encouraged and supported the Philippines in repairing and strengthening the grounded warship on Ren'ai Reef, and even sent military aircraft and ships to support it. It has repeatedly used the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty to threaten China. It is clear that the U.S. intends to turn the Philippines into a spearhead to challenge China's sovereign interests in the South China Sea.

From the Philippines’ perspective, some political forces in the country believe that the United States will definitely support them if any friction or confrontation occurs between China and the Philippines. This is also the main reason why the Philippines has been causing trouble regularly in the South China Sea of late. However, as some analysts have pointed out, it is an unrealistic fantasy for the Philippines. From the "Saigon Moment" to the large-scale retreat from Afghanistan, the United States has long used actions to send a clear signal to all allies: It simply can’t be relied upon.

Ultimately the the Ren'ai Reef issue is a bilateral issue between China and the Philippines. The U.S. is not a party to it and has no right to comment on it. The Philippines should abandon its delusion of reliance on the United States as soon as possible, stop causing trouble and provocation at sea and promptly remove the illegally grounded warship. It should work together with China to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea and protect the common interests of the region. China does not seek trouble, but it is not afraid of it and will firmly defend its territorial sovereignty and its maritime rights and interests. Acting as a hired thug for others is like pushing oneself into a fire pit; the Philippine side should not misjudge this issue.