US, Japan condemn China’s ‘repeated dangerous, aggressive actions’ vs PH | ABS-CBN
ADVERTISEMENT
Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!
US, Japan condemn China’s ‘repeated dangerous, aggressive actions’ vs PH
US, Japan condemn China’s ‘repeated dangerous, aggressive actions’ vs PH
Rose Carmelle Lacuata,
ABS-CBN News
Published Jun 18, 2024 12:42 AM PHT
|
Updated Jun 18, 2024 07:56 AM PHT
MANILA (UPDATED) — The ambassadors of Japan and the United States and of other partner nations have expressed their concern over the latest aggressive actions of Chinese ships against Philippine government vessels in the West Philippine Sea.
MANILA (UPDATED) — The ambassadors of Japan and the United States and of other partner nations have expressed their concern over the latest aggressive actions of Chinese ships against Philippine government vessels in the West Philippine Sea.
The statements come after an incident near Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal) involving Chinese ships attempting to block a resupply mission to the grounded USS Sierra Madre.
The statements come after an incident near Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal) involving Chinese ships attempting to block a resupply mission to the grounded USS Sierra Madre.
China, the first to report the incident, claimed a Philippine ship had collided with one of theirs
China, the first to report the incident, claimed a Philippine ship had collided with one of theirs
Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya, in a post on X, expressed the Japanese government’s grave concern over the “repeated dangerous and aggressive actions” by Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea.
Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya, in a post on X, expressed the Japanese government’s grave concern over the “repeated dangerous and aggressive actions” by Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea.
ADVERTISEMENT
“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 added.
“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 added.
US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson also condemned China’s actions near Ayungin Shoal, enumerating the damage and harm it caused to Philippine personnel and vessels.
US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson also condemned China’s actions near Ayungin Shoal, enumerating the damage and harm it caused to Philippine personnel and vessels.
“The US condemns the PRC’s aggressive, dangerous maneuvers near Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, which caused bodily injury, damaged Philippine vessels, and hindered lawful maritime operations to supply food, water, and essential supplies to Philippine personnel within the Philippine exclusive economic zone,” she posted on X as she called for a “free and open Indo-Pacific”.
“The US condemns the PRC’s aggressive, dangerous maneuvers near Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, which caused bodily injury, damaged Philippine vessels, and hindered lawful maritime operations to supply food, water, and essential supplies to Philippine personnel within the Philippine exclusive economic zone,” she posted on X as she called for a “free and open Indo-Pacific”.
In a separate post, Canadian Ambassador David Hartman said his country condemns the ramming and towing of Philippine vessels near Ayungin Shoal that caused injuries “and put at risk stability, security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.”
In a separate post, Canadian Ambassador David Hartman said his country condemns the ramming and towing of Philippine vessels near Ayungin Shoal that caused injuries “and put at risk stability, security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.”
Hartman said these and other aggressive actions by China are inconsistent with international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Hartman said these and other aggressive actions by China are inconsistent with international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
EU, EUROPEAN COUNTRIES VOICE CONCERN
European Union Ambassador Luc Veron earlier in the day said the EU expresses “deep concern” over the incident.
European Union Ambassador Luc Veron earlier in the day said the EU expresses “deep concern” over the incident.
“These actions have caused harm, damaged Philippine vessels, and disrupted lawful maritime operations in the exclusive economic zone (of the Philippines),” he said.
“These actions have caused harm, damaged Philippine vessels, and disrupted lawful maritime operations in the exclusive economic zone (of the Philippines),” he said.
“The EU opposes coercion and intimidation in the South China Sea, or anywhere. We support international law and peaceful dispute resolution.”
“The EU opposes coercion and intimidation in the South China Sea, or anywhere. We support international law and peaceful dispute resolution.”
French Ambassador Marie Fontanel reiterated the call to respect international law and freedom of navigation.
French Ambassador Marie Fontanel reiterated the call to respect international law 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,” she said.
“We oppose any threat or use of force contrary to international law and recall the importance of resolving disputes through dialogue,” she said.
Ambassador Marielle Geraedts of The Netherlands also called China’s actions as “irresponsible manoeuvres”, as it highlighted the importance of the 2016 arbitral award given to the Philippines.
Ambassador Marielle Geraedts of The Netherlands also called China’s actions as “irresponsible manoeuvres”, as it highlighted the importance of the 2016 arbitral award given to the Philippines.
“Irresponsible manoeuvres that endanger the safety of ships and crews call into question the freedom of sea routes guaranteed under international law. NL considers it of utmost importance that the 2016 arbitral award is fully respected and implemented,” she posted.
“Irresponsible manoeuvres that endanger the safety of ships and crews call into question the freedom of sea routes guaranteed under international law. NL considers it of utmost importance that the 2016 arbitral award is fully respected and implemented,” she posted.
Finnish Ambassador Juha Pyykkö also expressed concern over the incident and reiterated the call to respect international law.
Finnish Ambassador Juha Pyykkö also expressed concern over the incident and reiterated the call to respect international law.
German Ambassador Andreas Pfaffernoschke, meanwhile, said his country reiterates its "call for peaceful resolution of disputes and full respect of UNCLOS and International Law, including the 2016 arbitral award."
German Ambassador Andreas Pfaffernoschke, meanwhile, said his country reiterates its "call for peaceful resolution of disputes and full respect of UNCLOS and International Law, including the 2016 arbitral award."
The United Kingdom early Tuesday morning also condemned the “dangerous actions” by Chinese vessels near Ayungin, with British Ambassador Laure Beaufils saying these “interfered with navigational freedoms and escalated tensions.”
The United Kingdom early Tuesday morning also condemned the “dangerous actions” by Chinese vessels near Ayungin, with British Ambassador Laure Beaufils saying these “interfered with navigational freedoms and escalated tensions.”
BEIJING BLAMES PHILIPPINES
China earlier blamed the Philippine side in a "collision" with Beijing's vessel during Manila's recent resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.
China earlier blamed the Philippine side in a "collision" with Beijing's vessel during Manila's recent resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.
The China Coast Guard (CCG) said in a statement on Monday that a "Philippine replenishment ship ignored many solemn warnings from the Chinese side."
The China Coast Guard (CCG) said in a statement on Monday that a "Philippine replenishment ship ignored many solemn warnings from the Chinese side."
It "approached… the Chinese vessel in an unprofessional way, resulting in a collision," the CCG added.
It "approached… the Chinese vessel in an unprofessional way, resulting in a collision," the CCG added.
Beijing accused the ship of having "illegally broken into the sea near Ren’ai Reef in China’s Nansha Islands," using the Chinese name for the Spratly Islands.
Beijing accused the ship of having "illegally broken into the sea near Ren’ai Reef in China’s Nansha Islands," using the Chinese name for the Spratly Islands.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines, for its part, rejected China’s narrative, and said it would "not dignify the deceptive and misleading claims" of the CCG.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines, for its part, rejected China’s narrative, and said it would "not dignify the deceptive and misleading claims" of the CCG.
The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea said China engaged in “dangerous maneuvers, including ramming and towing”, while Philippine authorities were conducting routine rotation and resupply at Ayungin Shoal.
The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea said China engaged in “dangerous maneuvers, including ramming and towing”, while Philippine authorities were conducting routine rotation and resupply at Ayungin Shoal.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
