MANILA – The United Kingdom and a number of other different nations backed Manila in its newest protest in opposition to the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) over a lasing incident within the Ayungin Shoal final Feb. 6.
“The UK supports and joins the Philippines in expressing our serious concern regarding the intimidatory actions towards lawfully operating Philippines vessels in the South China Sea. These dangerous acts are in violation of international law,” the British Embassy in Manila mentioned.
“The UK is unwavering in our position on UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea), and that the 2016 arbitral decision is final and legally binding,” it added.
Canada, Germany, and Denmark additionally voiced their issues and known as on China, a celebration to the UNCLOS, to adjust to its obligations, together with the 2016 arbitral ruling.
“Recent actions that disrupted the lawful operations of Philippine vessels off the coast of the Philippines are in violation of international law and contrary to the maintenance of regional peace and stability, and the rules-based international order,” Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines David Hartman mentioned.
German Ambassador to the Philippines Anke Reiffenstuel, in a separate tweet, careworn that the 2016 award is “final and legally binding.”
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After the Philippine authorities filed a diplomatic protest and summoned the Chinese Ambassador in Manila, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Feb. 14 mentioned either side have communicated concerning the situation by means of an “existing maritime-related communication channel between the foreign ministries”.
However, it reiterated its declare over the Ayungin Shoal and branded the arbitration case as “pure political drama orchestrated by the US”. (PNA)