中国国家媒体近日发布歌曲《我在南海想你》的英文版本，通过音乐视频宣传中国在南海的主权主张[1]。该歌曲中文版本已在今年早些时候首发[1]。这一举措是中国推进南海软实力宣传的一部分，旨在人性化描绘中国海警人员[1]。
歌曲部分场景据称在斯卡伯勒浅滩拍摄，中国计划在该处建立自然保护区[1]。澳大利亚国立大学副教授格雷姆·史密斯表示该歌曲主要针对国内观众，反映了中国对软实力的"执着"[1]。
宣传歌曲发布的背景是，国际仲裁庭10年前裁定中国的九段线主张无法律依据，但中国拒绝接受该裁决[1]。包括澳大利亚、美国和菲律宾在内的14个国家随后发表联合声明，重申国际仲裁裁决的效力[1]。南海局势近期持续紧张，上周中国海警与菲律宾海警发生冲突，人员用桨、木棍和木棒相互击打[1]。此外，中国日报因发布将菲律宾人描绘成猴子的人工智能生成视频而遭菲律宾政府强烈批评[1]。
China's state media has released a patriotic song titled "I Miss You in the South China Sea" as part of a broader campaign to advance the country's territorial claims in the disputed waters.[1] The track, which debuted in Chinese earlier this year, saw its English-language version launch this month.[1] The accompanying music video aims to humanize Chinese coast guard personnel while promoting Beijing's sovereignty narrative in the region.[1]
The song release coincides with renewed tensions over competing maritime claims. The move comes roughly a decade after an international arbitration tribunal ruled that China's nine-dash line claim in the South China Sea lacked legal foundation—a verdict Beijing has rejected outright.[1] In response, fourteen countries including Australia, the United States, and the Philippines recently issued a joint statement reaffirming the validity of the arbitration tribunal's decision.[1] The song's production includes scenes reportedly filmed at Scarborough Shoal, where China plans to establish a nature reserve.[1]
Tensions on the water have escalated concurrently. Last week, Chinese coast guard personnel clashed with their Philippine counterparts, with crews wielding paddles, wooden sticks, and batons against one another.[1] Separately, China's state-run China Daily and the State Council Information Office faced strong criticism from the Philippine government after releasing an artificially generated video depicting Filipinos as monkeys.[1]
Analysts note the strategic intent behind the cultural campaign. According to Graeme Smith, an associate professor at the Australian National University, the song targets a domestic audience and reflects China's persistent focus on soft power expansion.[1]