Recently, a senior official from the Philippine Navy stated that they will fully support the government’s plan to submit a new complaint to the United Nations opposing China’s provocative actions in the South China Sea. He also pointed out that China’s aircraft carrier capabilities still require “several decades” to mature, urging Filipinos not to fear China’s “bluffing.”
On Sunday, July 14th, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, the spokesperson for Western Philippine Sea Affairs of the Philippine Navy, made the above remarks during an interview with Manila Super Radio DZBB when asked about China’s recent activities with its aircraft carrier “Shandong” and three escort ships near Philippine waters.
Trinidad assured the public that Filipinos need not fear China’s naval provocations, stating, “Their (China’s navy) theory is: be weak when strong; be strong when weak… That’s what they do in the South China Sea: bluff.”
He emphasized that even the United States Navy, which has been operating aircraft carriers for over a century, still faces challenges, while the Chinese navy, which lacks combat experience, would need decades to master naval warfare, especially involving aircraft carriers.
Trinidad stressed, “They (Chinese navy) have not been tested in a real war, yet their actions make it seem like they are formidable. So I say to our fellow countrymen, they (Chinese navy) have a long way to go. Despite them being more advanced, it will take them a long time to reach operational capabilities with their aircraft carriers.”
The appearance of the “Shandong” in the Pacific Ocean for joint maritime and aerial exercises has garnered attention from Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines.
Last Wednesday, July 10th, Taiwanese Defense Minister Gu Li Xiong stated that the Chinese aircraft carrier “Shandong” and three escort ships were spotted passing through the Bashi Channel north of the Babuyan Islands in the Philippines en route to the Pacific. The Bashi Channel lies north of the Babuyan Islands of the Philippines, connecting the East China Sea to the Pacific Ocean while linking to the South China Sea in the west.
This aircraft carrier, with a displacement of 70,000 tons, was observed sailing near the northern part of Luzon Island in the Philippines waters last month, and in parts of the Philippine Sea in October and November last year.
In recent months, Beijing has intensified its presence in the entire South China Sea, repeatedly provoking the Philippine Navy and Coast Guard, hindering and obstructing Filipino supply missions to assert their territorial rights in disputed waters.
Trinidad revealed that the Philippine government is considering re-submitting a complaint to the United Nations regarding China’s continued provocations in disputed waters, a move he fully supports.
The analysis of Jose Antonio Custodio, a researcher and defense analyst at the Consortium of Indo-Pacific Researchers (CIPR), cited by the South China Morning Post, reflects Manila’s actual assessment of China’s naval capabilities, according to Trinidad.
Custodio pointed out that China’s aircraft carriers have faced constant malfunctions and accidents. Furthermore, due to the lack of experienced personnel, China is attempting to recruit retired Western navy carrier pilots to train their personnel. This has become a national security concern for the US and the UK.