The international community has strongly condemned the latest unruly behavior displayed by China, including the ‘ramming and towing’ of Philippine vessels conducting resupply mission at the Ayungin Shoal, also known as Second Thomas Shoal, in the West Philippine Sea.
Treaty ally, the United States, spoke in defense of Manila’s lawful operation in the international waters, which the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has frequently tried to disrupt in recent months by imposing its naval might in the Indo-Pacific region.
“The United States condemns the PRC’s aggressive, dangerous maneuvers. We stand by our allies in support of a #FreeAndOpenIndoPacific,” US Ambassador to the Philippines Marykay Carlson said.
Echoing the same sentiment, European Union (EU) Ambassador to the Philippines Luc Veron stated, “these actions have caused harm, damaged Philippine vessels, and disrupted lawful maritime operations in the Philippine exclusive economic zone.”
Expressing deep concern over the damages and violations inflicted on Philippine vessels, Veron emphasized the need for adherence to international law in governing the area. He urged a peaceful resolution to the longstanding maritime dispute.
“EU opposes coercion and intimidation in the South China Sea, or anywhere,” Veron underscored.
The New Zealand Embassy in Manila, German Ambassador Dr. Andreas Pfaffernoschke, and Ambassador Juha Pyykkö of Finland also expressed deep concern over the dangerous actions by Chinese vessels.
They also called for a peaceful resolution of the conflict in full accordance with the United Nation Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Japan likewise reaffirmed its alliance with the Philippines and vowed to cooperate in “maintaining and enhancing the free and open international order based on the rule of law.”
Canada stressed that China’s actions are “inconsistent with its obligation under international law, including UNCLOS.” Canadian Ambassador David Hartman further urged Beijing to abide by and implement the 2016 arbitral ruling “which is final and binding on the parties.”
“These dangerous and destabilizing actions caused injuries and put at risk stability, security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region,” Hartman of the latest China aggression in the high seas.
The statement came after Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela said the People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N), China Coast Guard (CCG), and Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) vessels “engaged in dangerous maneuvers” during a resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre.
“Their actions put at risk the lives of our personnel and damaged our boats, in blatant violation of international law,” Tarriela said in the statement.
The Second Thomas Shoal has seen an escalating number of confrontations between Chinese and Philippine ships in recent months.
These have often taken place during Philippine resupply missions to a garrison of Filipino troops on a grounded navy vessel, the Sierra Madre, aimed at asserting Manila’s claims to the reef.
The shoal lies about 200 kilometers (120 miles) from the western Philippine island of Palawan and more than 1,000 kilometers from China’s nearest major landmass, Hainan island.