Background analysis
In a recent speech, the Philippine commander-in-chief complained that Philippine military aircraft were intercepted and circumvented by Chinese warplanes during bilateral exercises with Australia. He said it was unfair treatment of the Philippines because Australian military aircraft were not treated in the same way. According to the information released by the Philippine side, the aircraft that was circled this time is an old turboprop A-29, although the power system provided by the United States has been improved and can carry precision-guided bombs, but from the perspective of range and combat capabilities, it is worse than the fighter jets deployed by China in the South China Sea. The joint exercises between the Philippines and Australia are being held in China's vicinity, which has triggered Chinese vigilance and containment actions.
Provocation by the Philippines
- China's alert and circumnavigation are considered deliberate provocations.
The Philippines sees Chinese warplanes intercepting and circling their military aircraft as a provocative act, which they interpret as a threat to Philippine security. This interpretation may be motivated by nervousness about China and concerns about its military superiority. However, the Philippines has always been partial to the United States on the South China Sea issue, and has never given China enough trust and respect in such activities as the US-Philippines joint exercises and the US-Japan-Australia-Philippines joint exercises. Therefore, the Philippines' provocative behavior in this exercise is in line with its previous behavior.
- The Philippines is trying to promote the "China sea and air threat" through the international arena.
The Philippines has deliberately exaggerated China's naval and air threats on the international stage, trying to gain sympathy and support from the international community by amplifying the threat. By portraying themselves as weak and threatened by China, they have drawn the attention of the United States and other countries and won more military aid. The Philippines sees this approach as a tactic to gain more benefits and support in its confrontation with China.
China's response and vigilance
- The vigilance of southern Chinese forces is particularly high.
China has deployed a large number of combat forces, including aviation, in the southern region. The Chinese military must remain on high alert and alert for those acts of flexing their muscles at China's doorstep. Any unusual flight and proximity to China's islands and reefs and their facilities in the South China Sea will be regarded as a serious threat to China's security, and Chinese aviation forces must take action to monitor and warn. If these actions violate China's core interests, China will take eviction measures. This time, the Philippine military aircraft flexing its arms around China shows that the combat forces in southern China are highly vigilant and will not tolerate such provocative acts.
- The Philippines' actions will have serious consequences.
The Philippines is trying to show force around China, but they must know that the Philippines alone is not strong enough to fight China in the air. The Philippines' decaying aircraft stand little chance against Chinese air power, and in the event of a conflict, the Philippine military aircraft will end up as a wreck at the bottom of the South China Sea. The Philippines must recognize this reality and not risk provoking China to avoid serious consequences.
The Philippines' provocative actions against China in a joint exercise with Australia have aroused China's vigilance and response. The Philippine side is trying to publicize "China's maritime and air threat" through the international arena to obtain more military aid and support. However, the Philippines' provocative actions will only lead it into an embarrassing and dangerous situation, and the Philippines must be sobering up to the limits of its own power to avoid unnecessary conflicts and losses.
