On Sunday 1 September, the European Union condemned the new actions taken by Chinese coastguard vessels against the “legitimate” maritime operations of the Philippines in the South China Sea on Saturday 31 August.
China and the Philippines have accused each other of causing a collision between two ships near Sabina Shoal, around 140 kilometres from the Philippine province of Palawan.
Beijing and Manila have been arguing over the sovereignty of several uninhabited shoals and islets in the South China Sea for several months.
A press release from the European External Action Service (EEAS) points out that this incident, and a series of similar actions (see EUROPE 13378/14), “endanger the safety of life at sea, and violate the right to freedom of navigation and overflight to which all nations are entitled under international law”.
For Beijing, “China’s actions on the Xianbin (Sabina) Shoal are aimed at defending its rights and interests. Their purpose is to safeguard China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests”, as a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mao Ning, stated on Monday 2 September.
The EU once again condemns all illegal, escalatory and coercive actions that undermine the principles of international law and calls for a de-escalation of tensions. (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)