More nations have expressed their disapproval of China’s actions at the West Philippine Sea following a new incident of aggressive maneuvers against Philippine vessels on Wednesday morning.
On Wednesday morning, a China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel launched water cannon attacks and rammed a vessel of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) that was on a maritime patrol in the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal).
In a post on X, British Ambassador Laure Beaufils said China’s actions raised tensions and the risk of miscalculation, and called for them to adhere to international law.
“Yet another concerning report of dangerous actions by Chinese vessels against Philippine vessels near Scarborough Shoal. Such actions raise tensions and the risk of miscalculation. [UK] urges adherence to International Law and underlines the primacy of UNCLOS,” said Beaufils.
Yet another concerning report of dangerous actions by Chinese vessels against Philippine vessels near Scarborough Shoal.
Such actions raise tensions and the risk of miscalculation.
???????? urges adherence to International Law and underlines the primacy of UNCLOS.
— Ambassador Laure Beaufils ???????? (@LaureBeaufils) December 4, 2024
Japan also raised concerns about the safety of the vessels and crew members during China’s water cannon attacks and dangerous maneuvers.
“Seriously concerned about the dangerous actions against [Philippine] PCG and BFAR vessels by CCG. The use of water cannon & obstructive maneuvers undermine the safety of ship & crew. [Japan] upholds the rule of law and opposes any actions which increase tensions,” said Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya in a separate X post.
The United Kingdom and Japan are among the nations that the Philippines eyed for possible simultaneous multilateral exercises and resupply missions in July.
Recently, Japan has provided the Philippines with over P611 million worth of defense equipment “to deter threats to peace, stability, and security” in the Indo-Pacific region, with funds covering surveillance radar systems for the Philippine Air Force and the rigid-hulled inflatable boats and coastal radar system equipment and automatic identification systems for C-90 aircraft for the Philippine Navy.
In October, Japan was among the countries that joined the Philippines for the SAMASAMA exercise in northern Luzon, while the UK sent observers to boost the interoperability of the participating navies.
In 2023, UK also acted as observers in the joint military drills between the Philippines and the United States’ Balikatan exercises.
South Korea, which joined France in rallying behind the Philippines to strengthen the maritime defense of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), also raised their concerns on the attack, emphasizing the importance of “upholding peace, stability, safety, and rules-based order in the South China Sea” and “freedom of navigation and overflight.”
“The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines is concerned about the recent developments near Scarborough Shoal and Sabina Shoal, including the use of water cannons and dangerous maneuvers. We reiterate the importance of upholding peace, stability, safety, and rules-based order in the South China Sea, as well as the freedom of navigation and overflight in accordance with international law, including UNCLOS,” the Embassy of Korea said in a statement.
Korea also joined the Philippines in a maritime dialogue regarding the maritime ecosystem, safety and security, and the Korea-Philippine military-to-military and defense industry cooperation in October 2023.
The Canadian Global Affairs stated that Canada, which joined the recent multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity in the West Philippine Sea in July, said China’s action jeopardizes regional peace and stability in the region.
“Canada is seriously concerned by the Chinese Coast Guard and Navy’s aggressive actions against the Philippine Coast Guard and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessels today near Scarborough and Sabina Shoals… These actions jeopardize regional peace and stability. Disputes must be resolved peacefully and in accordance with international law,” Canada said in an X post.
1/2 Canada is seriously concerned by the Chinese Coast Guard and Navy’s aggressive actions against @coastguardph and @bfarph vessels today near Scarborough and Sabina Shoals.
— Foreign Policy CAN (@CanadaFP) December 4, 2024
Echoing earlier sentiments issued by the European Union, France also condemned China’s use of threat and force and renewed their call for China to adhere to the UNCLOS.
“We express concern following an incident in the South China Sea involving vessels of the Philippine Coast Guard and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources… France renews its call for respect of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and freedom of navigation. We oppose any threat or use of force contrary to international law and recall the importance of resolving disputes through dialogue. We also recall the decision rendered by the Arbitral Court on July 12, 2016,” the Embassy of France stated.
Fellow EU member Germany, who previously called China out for their prior harassments and stated that it “sparked concerns in Europe,” said that China’s actions “undermine stability and security in the Indo-Pacific.”
“Dangerous actions against PCG and BFAR ships undermine stability and security in the Indo-Pacific. [Germany] recalls UNCLOS and the 2016 arbitrary award and calls for the respect to international law,” said Ambassador Andreas Pfaffernoschke in an X post.
Dangerous actions against PCG and BFAR ships undermine stability and security in the Indo-Pacific. ????????recalls UNCLOS and the 2016 arbitrary award and calls for the respect to international law.
— Ambassador Andreas Pfaffernoschke (@germanyinphl) December 5, 2024
Denmark Ambassador Franz-Michael Skjold Mellbin also echoed the sentiments of the EU, while Norwegian Ambassador Christian Halaas Lyster called for the peaceful resolution of disputes.
“Deeply concerned at #China’s continued aggressive actions against Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea. China’s actions undermine the Law of the Seas, UNCLOS and maritime safety,” said Mellbin in an X post.
“Norway is concerned by the latest incident [on] 4 December involving Chinese and Philippine vessels. All disputes must be resolved peacefully and in accordance with international law. Respect for international law incl. #LawoftheSea is paramount #UNCLOS,” shared Lyster on X.
Earlier, the United States, European Union, New Zealand, and Finland also commented on China’s actions.
The statement followed after Chinese Coast Guard and People’s Liberation Army Navy ships allegedly attacked Philippine vessels at Bajo de Masinloc and Escoda Shoal.
The Philippines accused their ships of water cannon attacks, sidesweeping, and intentional ramming.
Despite this, the Chinese Embassy in Manila warned the Philippines to “immediately halt its infringements, provocations and inflammatory actions” and claimed that Philippine vessels intentionally rammed into a CCG ship.
Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.
In 2016, an international arbitration tribunal in Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China’s claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had “no legal basis.”
China has not recognized the decision. — Jiselle Anne C. Casucian/BM, GMA Integrated News
Be the first to comment