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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider EU tells China to self-restrain after injuring Filipino fishers

EU tells China to self-restrain after injuring Filipino fishers

Published Dec 16, 2025 03:18 pm
European countries are expecting China to exercise restraint after Chinese vessels fired water cannons on Filipino fishermen within the Philippines' Escoda Shoal, leaving three injured.
A statement from European Union External Action, the bloc's diplomatic service, said EU "condemns the recent dangerous actions by the Chinese Coast Guard," citing particularly its deployment of water cannons and cutting anchor lines in the South China Sea on Dec. 14.
The Philippine government already issued a demarche to the Chinese embassy in Manila over the incident.
"These actions threatened the safety of life at sea, causing injury to civilians and undermined the lawful exercise of maritime rights," they said.
The 27-member regional bloc maintained that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the basis of the Philippine victory over its claim against China over the West Philippine Sea, "is the legal framework governing all activities in the oceans and seas."
And that "should be upheld and respected at all times," EU's office said.
"The 2016 Arbitral Award is final and legally binding on the parties concerned," it added.
"The EU calls for de-escalation of tensions and expects China to exercise restraint, refrain from the use of force or coercion, and resolve disputes peacefully, in full respect of international law," it said.

Related Tags

European Union Escoda Shoal West Philippine Sea Filipino fishermen
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