The Philippines welcomed the Group of Seven (G7) Leaders Communiqué, which expressed support for the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal victory and concern over China’s use of water cannons against Philippine vessels in the disputed South China Sea.

DFA (File Photo/MANILA BULLETIN)

In a statement by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday, June 17, the Philippines said that it “shares the G7’s vision of a stable and secure Indo-Pacific region, and stands firm against any actions that undermine international security and stability” after the communique calls for a rules-based international order and the rule of law in all parts of the world, including the South China Sea.

“We highly appreciate the G7's opposition to China's baseless and excessive claims in the South China Sea. We appreciate the G7's call for China to cease its illegal activities, particularly its use of coast guard and maritime militia that engage in dangerous maneuvers and the use of water cannons against Philippine vessels,” the statement read.

“We also appreciate the G7's reaffirmation that the 2016 Arbitral Award is a significant milestone and a useful basis for the peaceful management and resolution of differences at sea,” it added.

The DFA also said that the Philippines values the G7’s position on the “universal and unified character of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),” and that it shares this “firm, unwavering and principled commitment.”

This, it stressed, was manifested in the Philippines’ registering its lawful entitlement to an extended continental shelf in the South China Sea, which it recently submitted to the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS).

Last week, the G7 Apulia Leaders’ Communiqué expressed concern and opposed China’s actions in the disputed South China Sea and its use of “increasing use of dangerous maneuvers and water cannons” against Philippine vessels.

The G7 is composed of leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

They were at Borgo Egnazia in Fasano in Apulia, Italy for the 50th G7 summit from June 13 to 15.

The G7 leaders also reiterated that China’s “expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea” has “no legal basis” and reaffirmed its opposition to “China’s militarization, and coercive and intimidation activities” in the region.

The DFA once again urged China “to stop its provocative behavior and distortion of the facts, including through enactment and enforcement of domestic laws and regulations that overreach into the legally-settled maritime zones of the Philippines in violation of international law.”

“We call on China to show sincerity in working together to de-escalate the situation, in the spirit of dialogue and the peaceful settlement of disputes,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian lambasted the G7 for its communique, saying that the group does not represent the world and has “become a political tool to perpetuate US and Western supremacy.”

“The G7 Leaders’ Communiqué again used China-related issues to vilify and attack China, resorting to the same old false accusations that have no factual, legal or moral basis and are filled with arrogance, bias and falsehood,” he said.

“The seven countries only account for 10 percent of the world’s population; year after year their share in global economy has kept dropping; even combined, they contribute less than China to global economic growth; and their economic aggregate in terms of purchasing power parity has already been surpassed by BRICS countries,” the spokesman added.

He called out the G7 for “fanning up flames and shirking responsibilities in regional conflicts” and “sending military vessels and aircraft into the Asia-Pacific to create tensions.”