On Saturday 23 March, the European Union expressed its deep concern at the incidents that occurred in the South China Sea on the same day.
In a press release, the European External Action Service (EEAS) deplores the repeated dangerous manoeuvres, blockades and use of water cannons by Chinese coastguard and maritime militia vessels against Philippine vessels.
On 23 March, the Philippines protested against the “aggressive actions” taken by Chinese coastguards and maritime militia against a Philippine supply ship near the Second Thomas Shoal, which is claimed by both countries. On Monday 25 March, Manila also announced that it had summoned a diplomat from the Chinese embassy.
“These acts put human lives at risk, undermine regional stability and international norms, and threaten security in the region and beyond”, the EEAS press release goes on to say.
To guarantee the peaceful resolution of disputes, the European Union calls for compliance with the United Nations Charter, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the 2016 arbitration award and other international rules and regulations on the safety of life at sea, the prohibition of the use of force and freedom of navigation. (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)