The Group of Seven (G7) has called out China for its “increasing use” of dangerous maneuvers and water cannons against Filipino vessels, reiterating its opposition to Beijing’s ‘‘intimidation activities’’ in the South China Sea.
In a communiqué issued on Saturday following the G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy, the leaders of the powerful economic bloc expressed concern over developments in the East and South China Seas, reiterating their ‘‘strong opposition to any unilateral attempt to change the status quo by force or coercion.’’
‘‘We continue opposing China’s dangerous use of coast guard and maritime militia in the South China Sea and its repeated obstruction of countries’ high seas freedom of navigation,’’ the statement read.
‘‘We express serious concern about the increasing use of dangerous maneuvers and water cannons against Philippine vessels.’’
The G7 leaders reaffirmed that they do not recognize China’s maritime claims beyond the zones defined by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), citing the 2016 Arbitral Ruling on the South China Sea.
‘‘In this regard, we reaffirm that there is no legal basis for China’s expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea, and we oppose China’s militarization and coercive and intimidation activities in the South China Sea,’’ they said.
‘‘We re-emphasize the universal and unified character of UNCLOS and reaffirm its important role in setting out the legal framework that governs all activities in the oceans and seas.’’
They noted that the 2016 Arbitral Award is ‘‘legally binding upon the parties to those proceedings’’ and could serve as a “useful basis for peacefully resolving’’ maritime disputes.
The G7 is composed of the world’s leading industrialized democracies— Canada, France, the United States, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom.
China claims a vast portion of the South China Sea, including areas within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
In August 2023, the Chinese Coast Guard first used water cannons to disrupt the passage of Filipino vessels conducting a resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal.
Despite China’s presence in the area, the Philippine government recently concluded another successful resupply mission to the grounded ship.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said Friday afternoon that the latest resupply effort was “very successful,’’ though he did not provide the date or specific details of the operation.
“It’s enough to say we will continue bringing supplies to our troops, we will continue rotating our troops in all the features that we are occupying in the West Philippine Sea, and we will continue to protect our territory and our sovereign rights,” Brawner said.
He added that there were no Chinese attempts to seize the supplies during this latest mission’unlike the May 19 airdrop mission, during which Chinese Coast Guard personnel managed to snatch one airdrop pack and threw its contents into the water.
