The Group of Seven (G7) countries expressed strong support for the Philippines following the latest collision incident near Escoda or Sabina Shoal, reiterating their strong condemnation of China’s “destabilizing” actions against Manila’s vessels in the West Philippine and South China Seas.
In a statement, US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller recounted multiple incidents throughout August 2024, where the People’s Republic of China (PRC) aggressively interfered with lawful Philippine aerial and maritime operations in the regional waters.
“The PRC’s unlawful claims of ‘territorial sovereignty’ over ocean areas where no land territory exists, and its increasingly aggressive actions to enforce them, threaten the freedoms of navigation and overflight of all nations,” Miller said.
He reiterated the US’ unwavering commitment to the Philippines, reaffirming that Article IV of the 1951 United States-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty “covers armed attacks on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft—including those of its Coast Guard—anywhere in the South China Sea.”
The European Union (EU) also released a statement supporting the Philippines. It denounced the collision incident as an “endangerment to the safety of life at sea” and a violation of the right to freedom of navigation and overflight, rights that all nations are entitled to under international law.
“The EU condemns all unlawful, escalatory and coercive actions that undermine these principles of international law and threaten peace and stability in the region. The European Union calls for de-escalation of tensions, and remains committed to supporting its partners seeking to exercise their legitimate rights, in the region and beyond,” it said.
Japan, South Korea, France, Australia, and New Zealand also called out China and urged it to respect international laws, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award, which is legally binding on the parties.
“Another unacceptable development around Sabina Shoal. Any harassment & actions which increase tensions or obstruct freedom of navigation are not tolerated,” Japan Embassy in the Philippines said in an X post.
“This latest incident, with a CCG (China Coast Guard) vessel ramming a Philippine vessel, is profoundly troubling and fits a recent pattern of dangerous and destabilising actions in the region,” the New Zealand declared.
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