Illustration: Liu Rui/GT

Recently,MKsport the Philippines has continued to hype up China's routine patrol activities in the east of Huangyan Dao, labeling the China Coast Guard (CCG) Vessel 5901 as a "monster ship." They hyped about its size and claimed that the vessel operated within the Philippine exclusive economic zone for four consecutive days without "permission." Jonathan Malaya, spokesperson for the Philippine National Security Council, condemned the Chinese vessel's presence as an act of "intimidation, coercion and aggression." 

Philippines' baseless accusations against China's routine patrols near Huangyan Dao fundamentally lack legal and factual support.

From both factual and legal perspectives, the patrol activities of CCG Vessel 5901 east of Huangyan Dao fully comply with domestic and international law and do not constitute any infringement on the legitimate rights of the Philippines. According to international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), China has sovereignty over the South China Sea islands, including Huangyan Dao, and conducts patrol activities within its jurisdictional seas. China has never intruded into the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, nor has it infringed on the rights of Filipino fishermen.

From the perspective of motivation and intent, the Philippines' systematic fabrication and dissemination of false information about the "monster ship" is yet another manifestation of the Ferdinand Marcos Jr administration's efforts to align with external powers and stir up the situation in the region. Despite the Philippines' recent deliberate provocations and attempts to heighten tensions, China has remained professional, calm and restrained in handling these situations, effectively thwarting the Philippines' attempts to create significant friction. As a result, the Philippines has struggled to find new material to continue its narrative of portraying China as a "bully." In order to keep its provocative "South China Sea drama" alive, the Philippines is now forced to search for new sources of conflict.

In the context of a leadership change in some foreign governments, particularly the change in US government, the Philippines government, accustomed to acting as a vanguard in containing China, fears losing its value. As a result, it has increasingly worked to stir up tensions, attempting to attract the attention of external forces.

Based on a lack of international legal support and a reckless disregard for the truth, the Philippines ignores the consensus of its neighbors of de-escalating tensions and maintaining regional stability. Instead, it stigmatizes China for its own interests, aligns itself with external powers and spreads false information in international public opinion to hype up China's routine maritime activities. Who the real "monster" is - intending to disrupt the South China Sea and create turmoil - is obvious.

The Philippines must realize that any attempt to infringe upon China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights will face China's resolute opposition and legal countermeasures. Any effort to force China to abandon its territorial claims and rights in the South China Sea will be in vain. The continued provocation of the South China Sea affairs, with the manufacturing of "bullying" narratives, will only serve to put on a "farce" for international audiences. 

The author is a researcher at the China Institute for Marine Affairs of the Ministry of Natural Resources. [email protected]