On September 29, Chinese law enforcement took action against a Vietnamese fishing boat that had illegally entered waters near China's Xisha Qundao, in accordance with regulations. However, this routine enforcement operation has become a focal point for some to stir controversy.

For instance, Philippine National Security Adviser Eduardo M. Ano issued a statement on October 4 condemning China’s “violent and illegal actions.” Ray Powell, a key figure in the U.S. Project Myoushu, who often advises the Philippines, quickly shared the statement, urging other governments to “take note” of the incident. On October 5, Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Terriela also took to social media to emphasize that China’s actions were “illegal.”

Chinese authorities intercepted and expulsed the Vietnamese boat that illegally entered waters near China's Xisha Qundao on Sept. 29.

Behind this ongoing wave of media attacks lies a series of narratives and tactics aimed at discrediting China:

First, selective distortion of facts. In this case, the Vietnamese fishing boat resisted Chinese law enforcement, engaged in evasive maneuvers, and nearly caused an accident. Chinese officers had to board the vessel by force and dealt with the situation in accordance with regulations. However, the Philippines ignored these key details and immediately labeled China as a “bully.” Some individuals, with ulterior motives, even selectively edited video footage to paint China in a negative light, conveniently overlooking China’s restraint during the operation, once again demonstrating their long-standing tactic of distorting facts.

Second, the exaggerated portrayal of victimhood. Jay Terriela’s post falsely accused China of attacking “innocent” fishermen, claiming that Vietnamese fishermen had endured enough of China’s “bullying tactics.” This narrative aims to portray the Vietnamese as victims, diverting attention from the fact that they were illegally fishing in Chinese waters. Those familiar with the South China Sea situation know that the Philippines itself conducts enforcement actions against “illegal fishing” by other countries and does not hesitate to hold those fishermen accountable, accusing them of “depleting fishery resources.” Additionally, the U.S. has been working with its allies to hype the so-called issue of “China’s illegal fishing.” This clearly shows that when the same issue arises, the U.S. and the Philippines approach it with a double standard, focused solely on discrediting China.

Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Terriela posted on social media to emphasize that China’s actions were “illegal.”

Third, the deliberate attempt to sow discord. Jay Terriela’s post suggested that this incident shows Vietnam no longer intends to “remain silent.” It’s worth noting that the Vietnamese response to the incident came from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which expressed “grave concern,” “dissatisfaction,” and “firm opposition.” Given the current state of bilateral relations, neither China’s enforcement action nor Vietnam’s reaction is surprising—they are routine responses to sensitive issues between the two nations. The Philippines, not being directly involved in this incident, has actively spoken out and intentionally escalated Vietnam’s response, revealing the underlying political motives.

It is well known that the Philippines has long tried to court Vietnam in forming a united front against China on the South China Sea issue. However, after To Lam took over as General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, he followed his predecessor Nguyen Phu Trong’s strategic policy of building a China-Vietnam community with a shared future. His visit to China at the earliest opportunity after taking office, where he held a fruitful meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, reflects this. In this context, the Philippines is clearly unwilling to see its years of efforts go to waste. It is now trying to use every opportunity to drive a wedge between China and Vietnam by exaggerating Vietnam’s response in an attempt to push Vietnam into a difficult position for its own benefit.

Moreover, these actions reveal the Philippines’ underlying intent to escalate tensions in the South China Sea. The country seizes every chance to sow discord and fuel tension, hoping to draw more attention from the U.S. and other Western countries without facing any direct losses. This would allow the Philippines to benefit from the increased focus on the region.

During this process, certain U.S. organizations, represented by the Project Myoushu, closely cooperated with the Philippine side, revealing their political intent to prevent stability in the South China Sea and to disrupt China’s relations with neighboring countries. However, China-Vietnam relations have their own dynamics, and the primary focus of the U.S. and the West remains tied up with the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the increasingly volatile Middle East situation, making it unlikely that such attempts to stir trouble will succeed.

（Author: Li Kaisheng, Research Fellow and Vice President at the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies）