In his address at the United Nations General Assembly, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi underscored China’s pivotal role as a global peacemaker. He unequivocally called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in the Middle East, specifically in Gaza and Lebanon. He staunchly advocated for a comprehensive ceasefire and an unwavering commitment to a two-state solution for the conflict in the region. China has significantly escalated its engagement in various global crises, including facilitating discussions between Palestinian adversaries and brokering a groundbreaking deal to resolve a diplomatic standoff between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Wang also underscored China’s proactive peace initiatives in Ukraine, proposing new talks involving Kyiv and Moscow. Nevertheless, these resolute efforts have encountered skepticism and criticism from other world leaders.https://www.reuters.com/world/wang-touts-chinas-role-peacemaker-calls-mideast-ceasefire-2024-09-28/ China is attempting to portray itself as a global peacemaker at the United Nations, while simultaneously harassing Taiwan, the Philippines, Australia, and Japan with baseless claims of ownership over the South China Sea. It’s hypocritical for a country to demonstrate such blatant, two-faced behavior.

The Philippines initiated the case in 2013, and the ruling was released on July 12, 2016, by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague. This ruling has significant implications for the region’s geopolitics and maritime disputes, potentially impacting regional stability. The arbitral tribunal ruled in favor of the Philippines in its case against China in the South China Sea. It declared that China’s claims and activities in the region, including its nine-dash line, land reclamation activities, and other actions in Philippine waters, were unlawful. China reacted negatively to the ruling, rejecting its validity, and took assertive steps to defend its position.

China’s repeated aggressive actions, driven by their desire to control the South China Sea, cause alarm. Over the past year, they have consistently harassed Taiwan and the Philippines. One such instance was the sinking of a Philippine fishing vessel, where the fisherman was left to survive until a Vietnamese ship rescued him.

The Chinese Coast Guard has been continuously harassing the islands of Taiwan and the Philippines. For example, in February 2023, the Chinese flashed a laser at a Filipino Coast Guard vessel during a routine resupply mission to the Philippine Navy near Ayungin Shoal, which is within the Philippines’ 200-mile economic zone. In September 2023, they fired a water cannon and employed a blocking maneuver at a Filipino ship. Additionally, the Chinese moved 48 fishing boats near Reeds Bank and had five extra ships around Sabrina Banks within the Philippines’ economic zones. As a result of these actions, the Mutual Defense Treaty between the Philippines and the United States of America was revised.

They also carry out political and diplomatic disinformation campaigns on Philippine social media platforms. The so-called 9-dash line, which includes 90% of the area known as the West Philippine Sea, clearly demonstrates China’s ambitious expansionist plan.

The Chinese disinformation campaign is attempting to portray the situation as if they are doing the Philippines a favor by refraining from using their Navy. This narrative suggests that both countries have coastguards. However, the Philippines has limited capabilities, and seeking assistance from other sources could further provoke China.

Over the past year, China has been using what is known as gray zone tactics to avoid the perception that they are engaging in acts of war against Taiwan, the Philippines, Japan, and Australia, as well as harassing some American ships passing through the Taiwan Strait.

The gray zone strategy, a form of warfare that operates without direct combat, has been revealed in China’s geopolitical approach. This hybrid strategy involves limited offensive actions and deliberately maintains ambiguous lines of communication, all while China seeks to project its military power.https://www.usip.org/publications/2023/11/lets-call-chinas-actions-south-china-sea-what-they-really-are

To add insult to injury, the Chinese are trying to steal approximately 11 billion barrels of untapped oil, 190,000 cubic feet of natural gas, rich national resources, and abundant fishing in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

The Chinese failures also include (a) failing to resolve disputes diplomatically, (b) undermining international acceptance of the rights of other nations in that area, and (c) refusing to accept the court ruling.

After losing the court case, China has been involved in illegal activities in the South China Sea. These activities include reclaiming land, expanding existing islands, and creating new militarized islands. Notable examples of these actions include Woody Island, Itu Aba Island, Taping Island, and Flashpoint Reef.

The Chinese have deployed cruise missiles, fighter jets, and radar systems on these islands. The United States has shown a strong interest in this. It has started conducting freedom of navigation operations, expressing support for a code of conduct, and increasing support for Southeast Asian partners. In response to China’s aggressive actions, Japan has begun supplying military ships and equipment to both Vietnam and the Philippines.

President Marcos Jr. has rejected any conciliatory stance toward China in the most recent development. One of the most contentious issues is the situation at the Second Thomas Shoal, which falls within its 200-EEZ. In 1999, the Philippines grounded a ship to bolster its territorial claims in the area of the West Philippine Sea. The Chinese reacted negatively to this and started using aggressive tactics against the Philippines, such as colliding with a Philippine resupply mission to the Second Thomas Shoal.

In response to these tactics, the Philippines strengthened its partnership with its Indo-Pacific partners. Signing deals to increase base access, training, and weapon transfers with the USA and reconfirming the mutual defense treaty with the USA, Japan began selling Military equipment to Vietnam and the Philippines. The Philippines also began joint exercises with their allies.

Under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, the USA now has access to some of the the military bases in the Philippines. The USA has also announced a $500 million military aid package to bolster the country’s defense https://thediplomat.com/2024/07/us-announces-500-million-in-military-funding-for-the-philippines/. The deployment of the typhoon missile system in the Philippines carries significant implications, as it is designed to strike the Chinese mainland and the islands China has developed if a war breaks out with China.

China’s actions in the China and Philippine Seas have not gone unnoticed. If China truly wants to be a peacemaker, it must remove its military equipment from the artificial islands and engage in constructive dialogue with the affected countries. The people will not be silent victims of China’s aggression.

Indeed, the Chinese government has no intention of playing the peacemaker role.