A China Coast Guard ship fires its water cannon at Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels escorting supply boats chartered by the Armed Forces of the Philippines in August 2023. The Philippine boats were delivering supplies to troops at BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal when confronted by the Chinese. VIDEOGRAB FROM PCG FACEBOOK PAGE
MANILA, Philippines — Ambassadors in the Philippines condemned on Saturday the dangerous maneuvers of Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessels against Philippine vessels in the Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.
According to United States Ambassador MaryKay Carlson, China’s actions in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Philippines violated international law and threatened the freedom of the region.
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“The U.S. stands with the Philippines against the PRC’s repeated dangerous maneuvers & water cannons to disrupt @CoastGuardPH lawful activities in the [Philippine] EEZ. The PRC’s interference with [Philippines’] freedom of navigation violates international law & threatens a #FreeAndOpenIndoPacific,” Carlson said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
‘Grave concern’
Meanwhile, Japanese Ambassador Koshikawa Kazuhiko said that it expressed “grave concern” over China’s action, and it was in solidarity with the Philippines.
“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 w/ the PH as confirmed at the [Japan-Philippine-United States] Vice Foreign Ministers’ meeting held in this week,” Koshikawa said in an X post.
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The two ambassadors made the statements after another water cannon attack of CCG vessels against the Unaizah May 4, a Philippine vessel which was in a resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.
However, CCG spokesperson Gan Yu said that the resupply mission “infringed upon China’s sovereignty” and “undermined peace and stability” in the region.
‘deliberate and provocative move’
“It is a deliberate and provocative move that infringes upon China’s sovereignty and legitimate rights and interests and undermines peace and stability in the South China Sea,” Gan said.
The official added that the moves of the CCG “reasonable and professional” and said that the Philippines’ “playing with fire” will “invite disgrace” and that the CCG will defend its sovereignty and interests.
“The China Coast Guard implemented lawful regulation, interception, and expulsion in a reasonable and professional manner. We warn the Philippines that playing with fire is an invitation of disgrace, and the China Coast Guard is ready at all times to defend the country’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests,” Gan added.