Recently, the dispute between China and the Philippines over Ren’ai Reef has escalated after the China Coast Guard vessels in a professional, appropriate and restrained way warned off two Philippine vessels. On August 5, China Coast Guard stopped the two vessels from approaching China's territory, Ren'ai Reef, and delivering construction materials for repairing and reinforcing the Philippine rusty warship that was grounded at the Reef two decades ago.

In 1999, the Philippines landed its warship at Ren’ai Reef with the excuse of “malfunction”, and the then-president of the Philippines promised to tow it away.

On humanitarian grounds, China has made temporary special arrangements to provide necessary daily supplies for the crew on board since the warship was grounded at Ren’ai Reef. However, two decades have passed. Instead of keeping its promise, the Philippine authority attempts to permanently occupy the reef by repairing and reinforcing the rusty warship.

It’s an unquestionable fact that Ren’ai Reef has always been part of China. Why does the Philippine authority’s attitude become so aggressive towards the territory that does not belong to them in recent years? Who is behind the dispute? Our host will explain this to you.