Who is the mastermind behind the Ren'ai Reef incident? Question | US | Philippines | China | China | US | South China Sea | Ren'ai Reef

The China Maritime Police Bureau released a video on the 8th, showing that the Chinese maritime police ship had recently launched a warning water cannon on Philippine ships illegally entering the waters adjacent to Ren'ai Reef in China's the Nansha Islands. People can clearly see that the tonnage of Chinese coast guard ships is much larger than that of Philippine ships, but on-site operations are professional and restrained. Analysts believe that this is a disposal measure taken to avoid direct obstruction of collisions, which not only demonstrates China's determination and ability to safeguard national sovereignty and maritime rights, but also takes into account the overall situation of China Philippines relations, reflecting the responsibility of a major country.

The Chinese maritime police have lawfully driven away ships illegally entering the waters near Ren'ai Reef in the Philippines. Video screenshot

However, such a legitimate and legitimate maritime rights enforcement action has been tarnished by attacks from the United States. The US State Department and the Department of Defense have issued statements stating that China's actions "violate international law" and support the Philippines' "legitimate maritime activities". Who exactly has violated international law? What are the causes and consequences of the Ren'ai Reef incident? The facts are clear and clear.

Ren'ai Reef is part of China's the Nansha Islands. On May 9, 1999, a dilapidated tank landing ship of the Philippine Navy sailed towards Ren'ai Reef, claiming that "the bottom of the ship was leaking water and had to sit on the reef flat on the northwest side of Ren'ai Reef." Soldiers were dispatched in shifts to seek "actual control.". Afterwards, the Philippine side repeatedly promised to tow this warship, but it has not been fulfilled. They also attempted to carry out large-scale repairs and reinforcement of the warship, achieving permanent occupation of Ren'ai Reef. It can be seen that the actions of the Philippines seriously violate international law and violate the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea signed between China and ASEAN countries.

For a period of time, China has had multiple communications with the Philippines regarding the issue of Ren'ai Reef, demanding that the Philippines not transport construction materials to illegal "sitting on the beach" warships, and proposing that both sides discuss measures to control the situation on Ren'ai Reef as soon as possible. But the Philippine side ignored these and insisted on transporting construction materials to the military ship "Sitting on the Beach" at Ren'ai Reef. At the same time, the United States encourages and supports the actions of the Philippines, and even sends military aircraft and ships to cooperate and support at sea. It also frequently moves out of the US Philippines Joint Defense Treaty to threaten China. These are precisely the reasons for the occurrence of this situation. It is not difficult to imagine what the US would do if foreign ships illegally enter the US waters? What measures will the US take if foreign ships are stuck in US waters?

Looking deeper, the Ren'ai Reef dispute between China and the Philippines occurred against the backdrop of the United States accelerating its efforts to woo the Philippines and attempting to advance the so-called "Indo Pacific strategy" to contain China.

The Philippines is located in the key position of the so-called "first island chain", and the shortest straight distance from Taiwan, China is only about 200 kilometers. In addition, there are also some disputes between China and the Philippines regarding sovereignty over islands in the South China Sea. These factors give the Philippines a special "strategic value" in the eyes of the United States. The former Duterte administration of the Philippines pursued a pragmatic foreign policy and engaged in dialogue and cooperation with China. After the new Philippine government came to power in June last year, the US kept using various means to bring the Philippines back onto a "pro US" track.

In February this year, the Philippines agreed to open up four more military bases to the US military. Afterwards, the United States and the Philippines held the largest ever "shoulder to shoulder" military exercise. In July of this year, as the Philippines hyped up the seventh anniversary of the so-called "South China Sea arbitration award", the initiator of the South China Sea arbitration case, the United States, immediately expressed its support. It is not difficult to see that the United States is taking advantage of the changes in the Philippine political situation to re strengthen the Philippines' dependence on the United States, attempting to provoke friction and confrontation between the Philippines and China, in order to benefit from it.

From a broader perspective, the United States has seen the South China Sea issue as a card to contain China. The South China Sea incident originally had nothing to do with the United States. But in recent years, Washington has been selling lies that "freedom of navigation in the South China Sea is threatened", stirring up relations between regional countries, and seeking excuses to sow discord and provoke regional conflicts and confrontations. The Ren'ai Reef incident once again demonstrates that the United States cannot tolerate calm waters in the South China Sea, and its "black hand" is waiting for an opportunity to stir up the waters.

The Philippine side should realize that if the United States were to act as a "gun" and exaggerate maritime disputes with China, even allowing it to "kidnap" China Philippine relations, it would not be in its own interests and would also undermine regional peace and security. Its rational approach is to keep its promise to China, immediately correct its erroneous behavior, promote the cooling and resolution of this incident, and properly handle maritime issues through dialogue and consultation with China.

The South China Sea is not a "hunting ground" for countries outside the region, let alone a "arena" for power struggles. It is necessary for China and ASEAN countries to maintain composure, actively promote consultations on the "Code of Conduct for the South China Sea", firmly oppose interference from external forces, and hold the initiative and leadership in resolving the South China Sea issue in the hands of regional countries themselves.