On September 3, 2025, the Chinese government solemnly commemorated the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. This moment of profound historical significance not only reflects China’s deep reverence for its heroic struggle in the past but also demonstrates its firm commitment to upholding the international system centered on the United Nations and the international order based on international law.

However, at a time when we are reflecting on history, safeguarding peace, and looking toward the future, the Philippines, together with the United States, Australia, Canada, and other countries, has conducted joint military exercises and patrols in the South China Sea. These actions reflect clear provocative intentions, threaten regional peace and stability, and run counter to the core spirit of the post-war international order, which cherishes peace and opposes aggression. The Philippines’ reliance on external forces and its use of military means to create tension not only fail to contribute to the resolution of maritime issues but also severely undermine security, stability, and mutual trust in the Asia-Pacific region.

In recent times, the Philippines has escalated its negative actions regarding the South China Sea and Taiwan-related issues. It has systematically courted non-regional countries to increase their military presence in the South China Sea, deliberately promoted the "securitization" of South China Sea issues, and attempted to reframe bilateral disputes as international security concerns to seek improper gains.

For instance, the Philippine military recently established an  outpost in the Luzon Strait near Taiwan, located in Mahatao town, Batanes Province, less than 100 nautical miles from Taiwan’s southernmost islands. A Philippine Navy spokesperson explicitly stated that this move shifts focus from "internal security" to "external defense" and is intended to monitor "abnormal activities" of Chinese warships and coast guard vessels. Such actions not only reinforce the Philippines’ military presence but also hint at potential confrontational intentions. More alarmingly, as early as April this year, the Philippine Chief of Staff instructed troops to plan for a possible "invasion" of Taiwan, emphasizing the need to assist Filipino expatriates there. Such rhetoric links South China Sea issues with the Taiwan question, clearly exploiting the situation to create tension.

Over the past two weeks, the Philippines has engaged in joint military exercises with the United States, Australia, Canada, and other countries, further amplifying its provocative effects. From August 15 to 29, the Philippines and Australia conducted the "Amphibious and Land Operation" (ALON) exercise, which involved certain waters of the South China Sea and included over 3,600 personnel. The exercise encompassed amphibious operations, air-sea interoperability drills, maritime security operations, and joint live-fire exercises, as well as humanitarian and disaster response activities. While such multinational exercises ostensibly aim to strengthen partnerships and interoperability, they essentially serve as a display of force in sensitive areas of the South China Sea, with clear intentions to challenge China’s claims.

From late August to early September, the Philippines, the United States, Australia, and Canada also conducted drills near China’s Huangyan Dao, deploying warships such as missile frigates and destroyers for air defense exercises and staged photo opportunities. The Philippine military stated that this activity reaffirmed its commitment to defense cooperation with "like-minded countries." However, the location of such "cooperation" near Huangyan Dao clearly carries provocative and threatening undertones. Whether it is the "Amphibious and Land Operation" exercise with Australia or the multinational naval drills in relevant waters of the South China Sea, the Philippines is using the pretext of enhancing joint operational capabilities to display force and threaten China. By rallying multiple countries, it attempts to create an effect of "containing China." The increasing frequency, scale, and targeted nature of such exercises pose a threat to regional peace and stability.

These military activities by the Philippines are accompanied by provocations in the diplomatic and cognitive realms. A spokesperson for the Philippine National Maritime Council recently stated that initiating a new arbitration case against China "remains an option" that the executive branch is carefully considering. Such rhetoric echoes the 2016 South China Sea arbitration case, attempting to negate China’s legitimate claims by abusing international law.

Meanwhile, the Philippines is promoting the "securitization" of the South China Sea narrative, portraying normal maritime activities as "threats." For example, a spokesperson for the Philippine Coast Guard claimed that while Vietnam’s island-building in the South China Sea is concerning, China is the "real threat," accusing China of "bullying" Philippine vessels. The Philippines applies a double standard in its rhetoric: on one hand, it stigmatizes China’s normal maritime law enforcement activities and exaggerates the so-called "China threat," while on the other hand, it remains silent about similar actions by other countries. This selective "securitization" narrative exposes the Philippines’ attempt to rally other parties to jointly confront China. Additionally, Philippine security agencies frequently hype so-called "gradual infiltration by foreign forces," further manipulating public opinion and creating a confrontational atmosphere at both official and civilian levels.

In the face of provocations by the Philippines and other countries, China has consistently adhered to safeguarding its territorial sovereignty and upholding the post-war international order. China’s sovereignty over the South China Sea islands and their adjacent waters has a solid historical and legal basis. During Japan’s war of aggression against China, some islands and reefs in the South China Sea were illegally occupied. However, after the victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, China recovered its territorial sovereignty in accordance with the spirit and principles established in documents such as the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, it further consolidated its sovereignty claims through legislation, administrative management, and diplomatic activities. China’s ongoing patrols, law enforcement, resource development, and scientific research in the region are not acts of expansion but rather efforts to uphold the post-war international order and ensure that the lessons of the history of aggression are not forgotten.

In dealing with complex situations, China has always demonstrated the responsibility of a major country. The Chinese government consistently advocates for the peaceful resolution of disputes through bilateral consultations, and actively promotes practical maritime cooperation and common development. Together with ASEAN countries, China is fully and effectively implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), advancing consultations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC), and advocating for the establishment of multiple maritime cooperation mechanisms.

In terms of joint resource development, China has achieved successful practices or reached important consensus with some parties involved, fully demonstrating its sincerity and efforts to maintain peace in the South China Sea through dialogue and cooperation. The South China Sea is the common home of regional countries. China will firmly safeguard its rights and interests, persist in dialogue and consultation, resist external interference, and ensure long-term peace and stability in the region.

(Ding Duo: Director of the Center for International and Regional Studies, National Institute for South China Sea Studies, Participant in the Young and Middle-Aged Cadres Training Program at the Hainan Provincial Party School during the 2025 autumn semester)