A Chinese expert has issued a sharp critique of a recent speech delivered by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. concerning the South China Sea. The expert labeled the President’s defense of the 2016 arbitral ruling as "political grandstanding," arguing that the rhetoric is designed to distract from what China describes as unilateral provocations by the Philippines in the disputed waters.

The core of the disagreement centers on the 2016 South China Sea arbitration, which the Philippines views as a legal victory that invalidates China’s expansive maritime claims. Conversely, the Chinese expert maintains that the arbitration is illegal and that the Philippine government is using the ruling to justify its own presence and activities in the area. The expert’s commentary suggests that the speech was not a genuine attempt at diplomatic resolution but rather a calculated effort to garner international support for the Philippines' position while masking its own regional policy shifts.

While the report from the Global Times focuses heavily on the perspective of the Chinese expert, it does not provide a direct response from the Philippine government or independent international legal analysts regarding the specific claims made in the speech. The narrative presented by the Chinese source frames the Philippine President’s actions as inherently destabilizing, contrasting with the Philippine government's stated position that it is upholding international law and protecting its sovereign rights. The report highlights a significant divide in how the two nations interpret the legitimacy of the arbitration and the motivations behind current diplomatic communications.