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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Diplomats say China's water cannon attack not right way to address sea dispute

Diplomats say China's water cannon attack not right way to address sea dispute

Published Dec 9, 2023 09:24 am

Several Philippine allies have called out China's recent water cannon attack against Philippine vessels and said such move is not the answer to resolving the ongoing dispute over the West Philippine Sea.

Diplomats of the European Union, the United States, Japan and Canada on Saturday, Dec. 9, were the first to condemn China's action after its coast guard and militia vessels hit three Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessels off Bajo de Masinloc.

Amid continued dispute over the South China Sea, EU Ambassador to the Philippines Luc Veron said the 2016 arbitral award is a useful mechanism to peacefully resolve dispute as it is legally binding.

"Water cannons aren’t!" Veron said.

US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson said China's behavior violated international law and that it endangered lives and livelihoods of the people.

"We stand with our Philippine #FriendsPartnersAllies in support of a #FreeAndOpenIndoPacific," Carlson said in a post on X.

Meanwhile, Japanese Ambassador Koshikawa Kazuhiko said Japan is "seriously concerned" about China's action, which he said not only endangered the lives and livelihoods but also posed "threat to the peace and stability" in the waters.

"We reiterate the importance of upholding international law, particularly UNCLOS, and 2016 Arbitral Award," Kazuhiko said.

Canadian Ambassador David Hartman said Ottawa is condemning the "dangerous and escalatory actions" made by China.

"Canada reaffirms its support for the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal ruling, which is final and binding on the parties," Hartman added.

Three BFAR vessels were attacked with a water cannon by the Chinese Coast Guard and Chinese militia vessels during Saturday's humanitarian and supply mission to 30 fishing vessels off Bajo de Masinloc.

Saturday's attack was not the first time that China used water cannon. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) called such move as something that creates tension in the region.

The Philippine government already condemned the recent incident and demanded Beijing to leave the waters and stop its "aggressive activities."

Meanwhile, the Chinese Embassy in Manila reiterated China's position with regards to its activities in the waters.

Citing China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin's pronouncement, the embassy said Beijing has "indisputable sovereignty" over the islands in the South China Sea as well as their adjacent waters.

"[China] has sovereign rights and jurisdiction over relevant waters," Wang said.

Related Tags

MaryKay Carlson Koshikawa Kazuhiko bajo de masinloc Luc Veron water cannon attack
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