Foreign governments have joined together in condemning the recent aggressive actions by the China Coast Guard (CCG) against Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). These governments, including Australia, the European Union, France, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States, have expressed their concern through their embassies and ambassadors in the Philippines.
The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) reported that Chinese ships fired water cannons at two Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) ships on Saturday. These BFAR ships were attempting to bring supplies to Filipino fishermen in the Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal. Additionally, on Sunday, a CCG vessel tried to stop but eventually collided with a civilian Philippine vessel on a resupply mission to Filipino troops stationed in Ayungin Shoal in the WPS.
US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson has strongly condemned China’s repeated illegal and dangerous actions against Philippine vessels. She affirmed the United States’ support for the Philippines and its partners in denouncing the People’s Republic of China’s aggression. Ambassador Carlson emphasized that China’s behavior violates international law, endangers lives and livelihoods, and undermines regional stability in the Indo-Pacific.
The French Ambassador to the Philippines, Marie Fontanel, expressed her serious concern about the dangerous actions that disrupted the resupply mission in the West Philippine Sea. She reiterated the importance of the UNCLOS (UN Convention on the Law of the Sea) in ensuring freedom of navigation and recalled the 2016 arbitral award in favor of the Philippines. The Permanent Court of Arbitration had invalidated China’s expansive claim over the South China Sea, which encroached into the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
The Embassy of South Korea in Manila also voiced its concern over the recent use of water cannons against Philippine vessels in the South China Sea. The embassy reaffirmed its strong support for peace, stability, and a rules-based order in the region, emphasizing the importance of freedom of navigation based on international law, including UNCLOS.
The European Union Ambassador to Manila, Luc Véron, expressed deep concern over the use of water cannons once again. He highlighted that the dispute settlement mechanisms provided by UNCLOS are crucial for maintaining the rule of law. Ambassador Véron emphasized that dangerous sea maneuvers and water cannons are not a legitimate alternative to peaceful resolution.
Japanese Ambassador to Manila, Koshikawa Kazuhiko, echoed the concerns raised by other foreign governments. He expressed serious concern about the dangerous actions by CCG vessels against Philippine vessels, which pose a threat to peace and stability in the South China Sea. Ambassador Kazuhiko reiterated the importance of upholding international law, particularly UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award.
British Ambassador to Manila, Laure Beaufils, acknowledged the unsafe actions by CCG vessels against Philippine BFAR vessels near Scarborough Shoal. She emphasized that these actions endanger lives and livelihoods and undermine regional peace and stability. Ambassador Beaufils reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s full support for UNCLOS.
The Australian Ambassador to the Philippines also expressed concern over the aggressive actions by the China Coast Guard. While their statement was not included in this report, it is evident that the international community is united in condemning China’s actions and upholding international law in the West Philippine Sea.
These condemnations from foreign governments highlight the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. The international community stands with the Philippines in denouncing China’s aggressive and illegal actions, which not only violate international law but also endanger the lives and livelihoods of Filipino fishermen and undermine regional stability. It is crucial for all parties involved to respect and abide by the principles of international law, including UNCLOS, to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Source: The Manila Times
