Amid the recent ramming of a Philippine vessel by the China Coast Guard (CCG), the ambassadors of Canada, Australia, and Finland condemned China’s “destabilizing” and “dangerous” actions near Ayungin Shoal and asked the Asian economic powerhouse to adhere to international laws.
 

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines David Hartman, shared the Canadian government’s statement denouncing Beijing’s recent actions.
 

“Canada condemns the dangerous and destabilizing actions taken by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) against Philippine vessels on June 17, 2024, near Second Thomas Shoal. The PRC’s use of water cannons, dangerous maneuvers and ramming of Philippine vessels is inconsistent with the PRC’s obligations under international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),” the statement from Global Affairs Canada said.
 

Reports of boarding and towing of Philippine vessels are also “deeply concerning,” and “these actions jeopardize regional peace, stability and prosperity throughout the Indo-Pacific.”
 

Reiterating that the principles of the UN Charter are “vital and must be maintained,” Canada stressed it “opposes escalatory and coercive actions, including the unilateral declaration of authority over disputed features.”
 

“Disputes must be resolved through dialogue rather than through force or coercion. We call upon the PRC to comply with its obligations, including implementation of the 2016 UNCLOS arbitral tribunal ruling, which is binding on the parties.”
 

In the same post, Hartman described China’s actions as “dangerous and destabilizing” that cause injuries and “put at risk stability, security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.”
 

Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Hae Kyong Yu also shared the Australian government’s statement that it stands by the Philippines in its response to the “dangerous and illegal actions” by China.
 

“Australia shares the Philippines’ deep concern at dangerous and illegal actions by China’s vessels near Second Thomas Shoal, causing injury, damaging Philippines vessels, and endangering lives & regional stability. States must act consistently with international law, (including) UNCLOS,” she wrote.
 

In the statement, Australia said it is “deeply concerned by reports of the forcible boarding and towing of Philippine vessels and the seizure of equipment.”
 

“This is an escalation in a pattern of deeply concerning and destabilizing behavior by China.
 

This conduct endangers peace and security in the region, threatens lives and livelihoods, and creates risks of miscalculation and escalation,” it added.
 

Finnish Ambassador to the Philippines Juha Pyykko chimed in and reiterated a call for China to respect international law.
 

“For Finland, I express my concern about these dangerous maneuvers and reiterate my call for respect for international law,” he wrote.
 

On Monday, June 17, the National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) said China engaged in “dangerous maneuvers, including ramming and towing” while Philippine authorities were conducting routine rotation and resupply mission.