US airs deep concern over China aggression in West Philippine Sea
This frame grab from handout video footage taken on June 17, 2024 and released on June 25 by the Armed Forces of the Philippines shows Chinese Coast Guard personnel aboard rigid hull inflatable boats (in black) during a confrontation with Philippine Navy personnel on their respective vessels (in gray) near the Second Thomas Shoal in disputed waters of the South China Sea. The Philippines on June 24 denounced Beijing’s “aggressive and illegal use of force” during last week’s South China Sea clash between its navy and the Chinese coast guard. Beijing insisted its coast guard behaved in a “professional and restrained” way and blamed Manila for the clash. (Photo by Handout / ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines — On the eighth anniversary of the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s 2016 ruling that the nation has exclusive sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea, the United States (US) said it remains “deeply concerned” over China’s assertion of territorial sovereignty over areas within the maritime jurisdiction of the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei.
“The US remains deeply concerned about [China’s] assertion of territorial sovereignty over vast areas that are clearly within the maritime jurisdiction of Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei, and where high seas freedoms of navigation and overflight apply under international law,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in a statement on Friday.
“Upholding the international law of the sea, as reflected in the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention, is in the interest of the entire international community and remains vital to the peace, security, and prosperity of all nations,” he emphasized.
Blinken called on China to abide by the 2016 arbitral ruling and stop its “dangerous and destabilizing” actions in the South China Sea.
“In its ruling, the tribunal firmly rejected any [of China’s] territorial or maritime claim to areas determined by the tribunal to be part of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. As provided under the Convention, the 2016 arbitral decision is final and legally binding on [China] and the Philippines,” he said.
Article continues after this advertisementBlinken pointed out that despite the ruling, China continued to assert aggression, particularly pointing out its use of water cannons, “dangerous maneuvers, and destructive tactics” – including ramming, forcible towing, and boarding that has resulted in damage to Philippine vessels and injury to Filipinos.
According to the US official, China’s actions “routinely interfered” with the lawful exercise of high seas freedoms in the areas that the tribunal already declared that China has no lawful territorial claims.
In a separate statement, the European Union (EU) aired the same sentiments as the US, emphasizing that it views the 2016 arbitral award as legally binding upon the parties to the proceedings.
“All parties involved must respect and honor the award. Upholding the freedom, rights, and duties established in UNCLOS, in particular the freedom of navigation and overflight, is of paramount importance for reducing tensions in the region. It is also essential for maintaining, strengthening, and deepening peace and security while ensuring safe, free, and open sea supply routes worldwide,” it said.
The EU then aired its support for the continuous efforts of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as well as China in terms of finalizing “an effective and substantive Code of Conduct” in the South China Sea.
The EU believes this would help resolve tensions in the waters.
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