Chinese Military Intervention in the Mindanao Conflict (21st Century Crisis)

The Chinese military intervention in the Philippine-Moro conflict is a part of China's attempt to spread its sphere of influence, and possibly gain a foothold in the archipelago. The fiercest of incidents took place during the presidency of Benigno Aquino III, to which, the Chinese government saw a weak Obama puppet - therefore seeing it as a perfect opportunity to begin attacking.

The People's Liberation Air Force stated that it would begin airstrikes in Mindanao.

The Chinese government currently supports the Bangsamoro independance process, and states that it supports the full independance of Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago from what it calls an "intrusive Philippine government". The People's Liberation Air Force have airlifted numerous supplies to both Moro seperatists and communist rebels, since these communists are Maoists.

However, with Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte establishing a military allyship with the Soviet Union, an ally of China. Currently, Chinese, Soviet, Philippine and Moro leaders are in a state of negotiation and litigation over the issue.

History
Chinese and Moro have always fought alongside, against the Spaniards and against the Japanese. Gumbay Piang, a Moro Mestizo of partial Chinese descent stated, "One day, China will become a superpower, and will help our just cause". There were many attempts during the War in Mindanao and Sulu to get China to support the Moros, and possibly gain China a puppet state. Such a move would have bolstered China's competition not only in the Cold War against the west, but also the internal communist cold war against the Soviet Union. However, China was already dealing with the Soviet Union herself. After the fall of communism, the Chinese involvment dwindled and died down. However, many Hui Chinese (Chinese Muslims) became heavily involved in helping the Moro rebels. Many Malaysians and Indonesians also helped and funded the Moros.

When the South China Sea issue began to boil, the Moros used this as an oppurtunity to gain their independance. Moro leaders called on the Chinese government to help them, to which the Chinese government responded by sending arms to Moro rebels. In 2014, things really began to heat up, when the People's Liberation Air Force sent aerial raids in Mindanao against Philippine forces. However, the Chinese air force also attacked Abu-Sayyaf and ISIS-aligned militants, stating that its goal was parallel to the Soviet Union's goal in the Middle East: to fight terrorists who do no good to the Moro cause.

The Chinese air force transported approximately 2,000 troops into Mindanao, many being Hui Chinese (Chinese Muslims). The Chinese also supplied the Moro rebels with rockets, artillery and other modern weaponry. The Chinese air forces also obliterated the Philippine air force in brief air duels. Although regarded as a precursor to a big Philippine-Chinese War, China's only focus was on Mindanao and Sulu.