MANILA – Global outcry has ensued following the aggressive behavior of the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) in the South China Sea. Several envoys from continents including Asia, Europe, North America, and Oceania have vehemently condemned the CCG’s recent actions, which involved the ramming of a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ship, escalating tensions in the region.
According to Philippines News Agency, Nabila Massrali, the CCG’s repeated confrontations contravene international norms, endangering lives and breaching the principles of the United Nations (UN) Charter and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). “The EU condemns all unlawful, escalatory, and coercive actions that undermine these principles of international law and threaten peace and stability in the region,” Massrali emphasized.
This incident marks the latest in a series of provocations in the past months, spotlighting the ongoing conflicts over territorial rights and freedom of navigation in these waters. EU Ambassador to the Philippines, Luc Véron, expressed his deep concern over the repetition of such incidents, underscoring the EU’s commitment to uphold maritime safety and freedom of navigation as per international law.
German Ambassador to the Philippines, Andreas Pfaffernoschke, and Canadian Ambassador David Hartman echoed these sentiments, calling on the People’s Republic of China to cease its disruptive actions. “Canada calls on the People’s Republic of China to cease its repeated and dangerous obstruction of Philippine vessels and aircraft which undermines peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region,” stated Hartman.
Adding to the chorus, Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines, Endo Kazuya, and Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, Lee Sang-hwa, stressed the importance of maintaining a rules-based order and the safety of maritime operations. The New Zealand Embassy in Manila labeled the actions of the CCG as “profoundly troubling and destabilizing,” urging compliance with UNCLOS to ensure regional stability.
Australian Ambassador to the Philippines, Hae Kyong Yu, condemned the dangerous tactics employed by the CCG at Sabina Shoal, highlighting the need for adherence to international laws, including the 2016 Arbitral Award. The PCG’s BRP Teresa Magbanua sustained damage during these encounters but reported no crew injuries.
Victor Andres Manhit, president of Stratbase ADR Institute, called the CCG’s behavior “dangerous, irresponsible, and reckless,” demanding that China adhere to its international obligations and cease its aggressive maneuvers. “It is the responsibility of all nations to ensure the peace, security, and stability of the Indo-Pacific,” Manhit concluded.