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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Allies back PH in latest sea row as China justifies 'dangerous actions'

Allies back PH in latest sea row as China justifies 'dangerous actions'

Published Aug 19, 2024 11:13 pm

Several members of the international community are siding with the Philippines after two Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels were damaged following a collision with a Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel in Escoda Shoal on Monday, Aug. 19.

The ambassadors of the United States, Australia, Japan, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and the European Union expressed concern over China's action against the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea.

US Ambassador to Manila MaryKay Carlson said Washington is standing with Manila in condemning CCG's "dangerous maneuvers near Sabina Shoal that endangered lives and caused damage to two PCG vessels."

"These actions are the latest examples of the PRC using dangerous and escalatory measures to enforce its expansive and unlawful South China Sea maritime claims," Vedant Patel, principal deputy spokesman of the US State Deparmtent, also said in a statement Tuesday.

"The United States calls upon the PRC [People's Republic of China] to abide by international law and desist from its dangerous and destabilizing conduct," he added.

Australian Ambassador HK Yu condemned Beijing's "dangerous actions" that she said "undermine efforts to de-escalate tensions."

Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya said Tokyo will not tolerate "any harassment and actions which increase tensions or disturb navigational rights" as it "stands with the Philippines by upholding rules-based order and peaceful settlement of disputes based on [international] law."

French envoy Marie Fontanel, German Ambassador Andreas Pfaffernoshcke, British envoy Laure Beaufils and EU Ambassador Luc Veron also expressed the same concern over Beijing's action.

Tensions flared anew in the West Philippine Sea PCG and CCG vessels collided in Escoda Shoal during a resupply mission on Monday.

PCG ships BRP Bagacay (MRRV-4410) and BRP Cape Engaño (MRRV-4411) were en route to Patag Island and Lawak Island to bring supplies to troops guarding the Philippine-occupied features when they were subjected to “unlawful and aggressive maneuvers” by the CCG, according to the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS).

Patag and Lawak Islands are two of the nine maritime features occupied by the Philippines in the Spratly Islands.

China blamed the Philippines for the incident, repeating its usual claim that the latter supposedly entered its waters illegally, that was why it had to make the move.

Speaking in a press conference in Beijing, Mao Ning, spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry, justified China's action.

Mao claimed that two Philippine coast guard vessels, "without permission from the Chinese government, intruded into" the waters of Escoda Shoal.

Escoda Shoal is located within the Philippine exclusive economic zone (EEZ), based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

"In disregard of China Coast Guard’s dissuasion and warning," Mao said the Philippines "acted dangerously by deliberately ramming the China Coast Guard vessel that was carrying out law enforcement operation."

"The responsibility of causing the collision fully lies with the Philippines," she said.

"China Coast Guard took necessary measures in accordance with domestic and international law. Its maneuvers at the scene were professional, restrained and appropriate," she added.

Despite the incident, she said, China is still committed to handling maritime disputes with the Philippines properly through dialogue and consultation.

"We hope the Philippines will honor its commitment, earnestly observe the understandings and arrangement reached with China, refrain from taking actions that may complicate the situation, and work with China to get the situation at sea under control," she added.

Related Tags

Chinese harassment Escoda Shoal West Philippine Sea Mao Ning
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