Several countries, EU express ‘grave concerns’ over China's recent actions in WPS

The embassies of South Korea, Germany and New Zealand on Tuesday expressed their concerns over the recent actions of China in the West Philippine Sea that resulted in injuries to a Filipino soldier and damage to Philippine vessels.   

In a statement shared via its official Facebook account, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines “expresses grave concern about the recent dangerous actions in the South China Sea that caused serious damages to the Philippine vessels and especially bodily injuries to a crew member.”

“We reiterate the importance of upholding peace, stability, safety and rules-based maritime order in the South China Sea, a critical sea lane of communications for all countries that are using it,” the Korean Embassy added.

In its statement, the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Manila shared a similar view of the matter, “Germany is seriously concerned about dangerous actions of Chinese vessels near Second Thomas Shoal against resupply missions of the Philippines in its Exclusive Economic Zone.”

Germany reiterated its call for a “peaceful resolution of disputes and full respect of UNCLOS and International Law, including the 2016 Arbitral Award.”

UNCLOS or the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea was established in 1982 to define coastal and maritime boundaries, to regulate seabed exploration not within territorial claims, and to distribute revenue from regulated exploration. Both China and the Philippines are signatories.  

Meanwhile, the New Zealand Embassy in Manila said China’s actions “threaten lives and safety” as it called for the “peaceful resolution of disputes in full accordance with UNCLOS.”

“Escalatory and dangerous actions by Chinese vessels at Second Thomas Shoal damaging Philippine vessels and obstructing assistance to injured personnel are of great concern,” the embassy added. 

 Earlier, the United States condemned what it called China's "aggressive, dangerous maneuvers near Ayungin Shoal", saying it caused bodily injury, and damaged Philippine vessels.

On Monday, the Philippines' task force on the West Philippine Sea said Chinese vessels engaged in dangerous maneuvers such as "ramming and towing" while Filipino boats conducted a routine rotation and resupply mission at the Ayungin Shoal.

Further, Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines David Hartman said the actions of the Chinese Coast Guard put the Indo-Pacific region’s stability, security and prosperity at risk.

“China’s actions are inconsistent with its obligations under international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. We call on China to implement the 2016 arbitral ruling, which is final and binding on the parties,” he said in a statement on X (formerly Twitter).

A statement by British Ambassador to the Philippines Laure Beaufils in an X post on Tuesday and French Ambassador to the Philippines Marie Fontanel also shared the same sentiments.

“This interfered with navigational freedoms & escalated tensions. UK reiterates its call for adherence to UNCLOS for all activities in the oceans and seas,” said Beaufils.

“France reiterates call for respect of the #UNCLOS 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,” Fontanel said.

Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya also expressed concerns over China’s aggression and reiterated his country’s support.

“We stand with the Philippines and cooperate with like-minded countries in maintaining and enhancing the free and open international order based on the rule of law,” he said in a statement on X.

China’s aggression was also condemned by European Union Ambassador Luc Véron, who stated that its actions disrupted lawful operations within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and caused harm and damage to Philippine personnel and resources.

“The EU opposes coercion and intimidation in the South China Sea, or anywhere. We support international law and peaceful dispute resolution,” Véron said on X.

In another statement, the Australian Embassy said China’s harassment was a “pattern of deeply concerning and destabilizing behavior” that endangers peace and security in the region.

“The Australian Government expresses its grave concern at, and stands by the Philippines in its response to, the dangerous and illegal actions by China's vessels against Philippine vessels and crew…  All states have a responsibility to adhere to international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which is essential to peace and stability, including in the South China Sea,” the embassy said.—Jiselle Anne Casucian/RF, GMA Integrated News