More nations express concern over China's 'dangerous' actions in West Philippine Sea

By Bernadette E. Tamayo

August 8, 2023 1000

FRANCE, Germany, and South Korea have joined five other nations in expressing deep concern over "dangerous" actions by the China Coast Guard (CCG) that raised tensions in the South China Sea (SCS).

The United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, and Canada on Monday slammed the water bombing of Philippine vessels by the CCG last August 5 while on a resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea. The European Mission in Manila also echoed their concern.

The Embassy of South Korea in Manila, in a statement on Tuesday, raised concern over the recent use of water cannons against the Philippines Coast Guard vessels in the SCS.

The Embassy has reaffirmed its support for peace, stability, and rules-based order in the SCS, as an "important international sea lane of communications."

It also supports the "freedom of navigation and overflight based on the principles of international law, including Unclos (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea)."

The German Embassy in Manila is concerned by the "dangerous maneuvers and use of water cannons by Chinese Coast Guard vessels against a lawful Filipino resupply mission within the Philippine's own exclusive economic zone (EEZ)."

Germany, through its embassy here, urged all parties "to respect the rules-based international maritime order," particularly Unclos, "with the 2016 Arbitral Award at its center."

On July 12, 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in favor of the Philippines and invalidated China's expansive "nine-dash line" policy in the SCS which encroached the Philippines' EEZ.

"In light of recent events, Germany stresses that disputes must be resolved peacefully not by force or coercion," the embassy said.

The Embassy of France, in a statement, expressed "deep concern about the dangerous maneuvers carried out by Chinese coast guard vessels in the South China Sea."

It reiterated its support for international law and Unclos, as it cited the "decision handed down by the Court of Arbitration in 2016 concerning the South China Sea."

Germany, UK join opposition to Chinese 'aggression' in WPS

By Bernadette E. Tamayo, Manila Times

February 16, 2023

GERMANY and the United Kingdom (UK) have joined three more countries in expressing serious concern over the alleged harassment of a Philippine Coast Guard vessel by a Chinese Coast Guard ship in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Japan, Australia, and Canada had voiced their apprehension on the reported aggressive behavior of CCG against a PCG vessel which was on a re-supply mission to BRP Sierra Madre stationed in Ayungin Shoal.

German Ambassador to Manila Anke Reiffenstuel, on Tweeter, said, Germany "shares serious concerns about intimidatory action against Philippine vessels" in the West Philippine Sea or South ChinaSea.

"We call to refrain from any conduct that increases tensions. All states must abide by UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea)," she said.

"The 2016 Arbitral Award is final and legally binding," Reiffenstuel stressed.

In a separate tweet, the British Embassy in Manila said, "The UK supports and joins the Philippines in expressing our serious concern regarding the intimidatory actions towards lawfully operating Philippines vessels in the South China Sea. These dangerous acts are in violation of international law."

"The UK is unwavering in our position on UNCLOS and that the 2016 arbitral decision is final and legally binding," the embassy added.

In a landmark ruling on July 12, 2016, the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration found no legal basis for China to use its "nine-dash line" as basis for claiming the South China Sea but China refused to honor the ruling.

The said arbitral award recognized the Philippines' sovereign rights in its 200 nautical miles exclusive economic zone in the WPS, which is part of the South China Sea.

Manila on February 14 protested the recent "aggressive" action of the CCG in the WPS when it used a military-grade laser against a Philippine ship that was on a resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal.