The Chinese coast guard vessel collided with another Philippine vessel on Saturday (August 31), prompting condemnation from the United States, the European Union, and countries in the Indo-Pacific region. They stated that these incidents violate the freedom of navigation and overflight of all countries.
The U.S. State Department spokesperson, Matthew Miller, stated in a press release that the U.S. supports the Philippines and condemns China for taking “dangerous and escalating actions” against the Philippines’ lawful maritime operations.
Miller said, “A Chinese coast guard vessel intentionally collided with a Philippine coast guard ship exercising freedom of navigation in the Philippine exclusive economic zone, causing damage to the vessels and endangering the safety of the crew.”
He also criticized China for its recent escalating actions in the region, mentioning multiple instances of aggressive behavior in the South China Sea that threaten the freedom of navigation and overflight for all countries.
Recent clashes between China and the Philippines have occurred near Sabina Shoal, known as Escoda Shoal by the Philippines, part of the Spratly Islands. Both Beijing and Manila claim sovereignty over the island chain.
According to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the Sabina Shoal, being much closer to the Philippines than China, falls under the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
The 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague invalidated China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea.
The Chinese authorities argue that the tribunal has no jurisdiction over territorial disputes and have passed domestic laws allowing China’s coast guard to detain foreign fishermen and sailors “invading” the South China Sea for up to 60 days without trial and to use deadly force against foreign vessels in waters claimed by Beijing.
On Saturday, China and the Philippines once again blamed each other for the collision incidents.
The Philippines stated that the Chinese coast guard vessel “intentionally rammed the Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua three times without provocation.”
The BRP Teresa Magbanua, measuring 97 meters (320 feet), is one of the largest cutters in the Philippine Coast Guard fleet.
China, on the other hand, claims that the Philippine vessel deliberately rammed into their ship.
This is the third collision between China and the Philippines within a month, including aerial incidents, marking the seventh minor clash between the two countries.
U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson, along with ambassadors from the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan, expressed their concerns over Beijing’s escalating actions in the South China Sea.
Carlson stated that the U.S. condemns China’s “repeated dangerous and unlawful actions” and added, “We stand with the Philippines in upholding international law.”
UK Ambassador to the Philippines Laure Beaufils expressed concern over reports of China’s vessels taking more dangerous actions near Sabina Shoal and reiterated the call to respect international law, including the legally binding 2016 arbitration ruling.
Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Hae Kyong Yu said Australia shares the Philippines’ concerns about China’s destabilizing actions near Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea.
“Reckless ship collisions are unacceptable and dangerous. All countries must abide by international law. The 2016 arbitration ruling is binding on all parties.”
The Embassy of New Zealand in the Philippines stated that the latest incident is “deeply troubling and fits into a pattern of recent actions in the area that are dangerous and disruptive.”
Japanese Ambassador Kazuya Endo emphasized Japan’s stance as a “stakeholder in the South China Sea” and opposes attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by force, supporting the Philippines and maritime laws.
The spokesperson for the EU High Representative Josep Borrell, Nabila Massrali, condemned China for its dangerous actions against the Philippines’ lawful maritime operations.
The EU statement expressed that these incidents “endanger maritime safety and infringe upon the freedom of navigation rights enjoyed by all countries under international law.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan also issued a statement denouncing China for repeatedly harassing Filipino vessels through “illegal, coercive, aggressive, and dangerous maneuvers,” resulting in multiple maritime collisions.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemns China’s bullying behavior of creating maritime conflicts in the same area, escalating tensions in the South China Sea through non-peaceful means,” the statement from Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs read.