The United Sates and other close allies of the Philippines have condemned China’s water cannon attack against Filipino fishermen near Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea, saying the incident endangered the civilians and threatened regional stability.
In a statement Monday, U.S. State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Thomas Pigott denounced what he described as dangerous and provocative actions by Chinese vess
“These aggressive actions endangered Filipinos fishing for their livelihoods,” Pigott said. “We stand with our Philippine allies as they confront China’s provocative actions and increasingly dangerous tactics against its neighbors, which undermine regional stability.”
The statement followed remarks by U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson, who said the China Coast Guard’s (CCG) actions put the lives and livelihoods of Filipino fisherfolk at risk.
Other Philippine allies also called our China over the incident.
Canadian Ambassador David Hartman said Ottawa is seriously concerned about what he called aggressive actions by the China Coast Guard against Filipino civilian fishing vessels, warning that such behavior jeopardizes regional peace and stability. He stressed that disputes should be resolved peacefully and in accordance with international law.
Australian Ambassador Marc Innes-Brown said Australia is also seriously concerned by China’s actions and called on all parties to exercise restraint and respect international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Japan’s Ambassador to the Philippines, Endo Kazuya, reiterated Tokyo’s support for the rule of law and its opposition to actions that escalate tensions.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said three Filipino fishermen were injured and two fishing boats were damaged after Chinese Coast Guard ships fired water cannons at them in disputed waters on Dec. 12.
Nearly two dozen Filipino fishing boats near Escoda Shoal, also known as Sabina Shoal, were subjected to water cannoning and blocking maneuvers, the PCG said. It added that a small Chinese coast guard vessel cut the anchor lines of several boats, putting their crews in danger.
The PCG called on the CCG to adhere to internationally recognized standards of conduct, prioritizing the preservation of life at sea over pretensions of law enforcement that jeopardize the lives of innocent fishermen.
Manila has agreements with the U.S., Australia, Japan, and Canada that allow their forces to enter the country for joint military exercises and humanitarian and disaster response operations.
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