Beijing signaled zero tolerance for disruptions in the South China Sea during a February 28 briefing by Defense Ministry spokesperson Senior Colonel Jiang Xiaokang. He spotlighted provocative joint patrols near Huangyan Island involving the Philippines, United States, Japan, and Australia in nearby skies and seas.
A concurrent US-Philippines strategic huddle amplified accusations that China’s maneuvers jeopardize regional security and broad economic prosperity. Jiang fired back, portraying the US as an interloper importing military displays to engineer instability.
‘Philippines acts as a complete troublemaker, persistently violating China’s rights and provoking, to the detriment of shared regional benefits,’ he said. China’s sovereignty over the islands and authority in adjacent areas remains beyond dispute.
Jiang also dismantled recent US charges of nuclear testing by China as fabrications. He outlined the nation’s commitments: no-first-use policy, self-defense nuclear strategy, minimal necessary forces, no engagement in arms competitions, and strict observance of test suspension—free of any treaty violations.
The remarks reflect escalating frictions where strategic posturing meets territorial resolve. As coalitions multiply patrols, China’s pledge to neutralize unrest plots could reshape dynamics in this economically crucial waterway.