Handout photos taken on 8 February 2024 show the dangerous actions taken by a China Coast Guard ship against the BRP Teresa Magbanua, including crossing the latter’s bow, at the disputed Bajo de Masinloc off Zambales. The Philippine Coast Guard ship stood its ground against eight CCG and four China maritime militia vessels during a nine-day operation.
PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD/AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Several foreign governments have shown support to the Philippines after the latest China Coast Guard’s dangerous maneuvers against the Philippine ship in Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea on Saturday morning.
US Ambassador to the Philippines Mary Kay L. Carlson expressed deep concern over China’s interference with the Philippines’ legitimate operations in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the WPS.
“The U.S. stands with the Philippines against the PRC’s repeated dangerous maneuvers and water cannons to disrupt Philippine Coast Guard’s lawful activities in the Philippine EEZ,” Carlson said in her post on X (formerly Twitter).
“The PRC’s interference with the Philippines’ freedom of navigation violates international law and threatens a #FreeAndOpenIndoPacific,” she added.
Citing similar incidents in the past, European Union Ambassador Luc Véron also voiced out similar sentiments.
"Concerned by recurring dangerous maneuvers, blocking and water-cannoning from Chinese Coast Guard vessels and Maritime Militia against Philippine vessels engaged in resupply missions," Veron said on a similar social media platform.
Veron reiterated the EU’s call “for all parties to abide by the legally binding 2016 Arbitration Award and international law to peacefully resolve disputes, guaranteeing safety for all in maritime waters.”
Japanese Ambassador-designate Endo Kazuya also expressed grave concern over China’s latest aggression in the WPS.
“Japan reiterates its grave concern on the repeated dangerous actions by CCG in the South China Sea which resulted in Filipino injuries. Japan stands in solidarity with the Philippines as confirmed at the Japan-Philippines-US Vice Foreign Ministers’ meeting held this week,” Kazuya said.
Meanwhile, the New Zealand Embassy in Manila stressed that such matters should be resolved peacefully in accordance with UNCLOS.
“New Zealand is deeply concerned at further actions today by Chinese vessels towards the Philippines at Second Thomas Shoal. These endanger lives at sea. It is fundamental to regional stability that maritime disputes are resolved peacefully in accordance with international law, particularly UNCLOS,” it said over the X post on Saturday.
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