Members of the G7 countries are united in dismissing China’s maritime claims over the West Philippine Sea.
In their joint meeting communique, top diplomats of France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union said “there is no legal basis for China’s expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea.”
The foreign ministers also opposed China’s militarization as well as coercive and intimidation activities in the waters.
They expressed serious concerns about developments both in East and South China Seas and opposed Beijing’s actions against the Philippines.
“We continue to oppose China’s dangerous use of coast guard and maritime militia in the South China Sea and its repeated obstruction of countries’ high seas freedom of navigation,” they said.
“We express serious concern about the increasing use of dangerous maneuvers and water cannons against Philippines vessels in this regard,” they added.
The diplomats said the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) has unified and universal character and it has “important role in setting out legal framework that governs all activities in the oceans and seas.”
“We reiterate that the award rendered by the Arbitral Tribunal on July 12, 2016 is a significant milestone, which is legally binding upon the parties to those proceedings and a useful basis for peacefully resolving disputes between the parties,” they added.