GMA Brandtalk
Tracking
Archives
Australia tells China to stop 'dangerous' actions in WPS after Escoda Shoal incident
The Australian government has urged China to stop its "dangerous and aggressive" actions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) amid the latest incident in Escoda Shoal where a Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 'intentionally' rammed BRP Teresa Magbanua.
Australian Ambassador to the Philippines HK Yu posted on X the statement of the Australian government expressing deep concern over the "series of dangerous and aggressive actions by China against the Philippines" including incidents that happened on August 19, 25, and 31 near Sabina Shoal also known as Escoda Shoal.
— Australian Ambassador, The Philippines (@AusAmbPH) September 2, 2024
The Australian government noted the "repeated and intentional ramming of Philippine vessels, causing structural damage, and the use of water cannons."
"Australia shares the Philippines' condemnation of this destabilizing and unacceptable conduct. It poses serious risks of harm to crew, and undermines recent commitments to de-escalate tensions in the South China Sea," the statement read.
"The Australian Government urges China to cease these actions, resolve disputes peacefully and adhere to international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and conventions on the prevention of collisions at sea," it added.
The Australian government also called for restraint and reiterated that the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award is "final and legally binding on the parties."
Over the weekend, a CCG vessel "intentionally" and repeatedly rammed BRP Teresa Magbanua, which had been anchored on Escoda Shoal since April.
However, Liu Dejun, a spokesperson for China's Coast Guard, said in a statement that a Philippine ship, "illegally stranded" at the shoal, had lifted anchor and "deliberately rammed" a Chinese vessel.
Earlier today, Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Eduardo Manalo said the Philippine government is contemplating on whether to lodge another arbitral case against China following the latest incident.
Escoda Shoal, also referred to as Sabina Shoal, is a coral reef formation with a central lagoon surrounded by discontinuous shallow sections.
It is a rendezvous point for Philippine vessels headed to Ayungin Shoal, another contested feature in the West Philippine Sea, where the World War II-era vessel BRP Sierra Made has been aground since 1999. Ayungin Shoal is also referred to as Second Thomas Shoal. —LDF, GMA Integrated News
