Foreign ambassadors took to social media on Sunday to express their condemnation of China’s actions in the West Philippine Sea. They criticized the back-to-back incidents where Chinese vessels fired water cannons at Philippine ships over the weekend.
United States Ambassador MaryKay Carlson stated that the US stands with the Philippines in vehemently condemning the People’s Republic of China’s repeated illegal and dangerous actions against vessels. She specifically mentioned the disruption of the resupply mission to the Sierra Madre. She also highlighted that the PRC’s aggression undermines regional stability in defiance of a #FreeAndOpenIndoPacific.
The Philippine Coast Guard reported that a commissioned vessel on a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal suffered serious engine damage after being blasted with water cannon by the China Coast Guard. This incident occurred just a day after Chinese ships fired water cannons at Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessels on a humanitarian mission near Bajo de Masinloc.
European Union Ambassador Luc Veron expressed concern over these incidents and expressed support for the 2016 Arbitral Ruling that invalidated China’s sweeping claims over the South China Sea. Veron emphasized that the 2016 UNCLOS Tribunal Award is a valuable framework for peaceful resolution, and water cannons and dangerous sea maneuvers are not a legitimate alternative.
The New Zealand embassy in Manila also expressed their view that China’s actions pose real risks to safety and lives. French ambassador Marie Fontanel echoed these concerns and reiterated their support for the 2016 Arbitral Ruling.
Source: PhilNews24 | December 11, 2023
