The Philippine government on Monday said it strongly condemns China's “aggressive actions” against a recent resupply mission at Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal), located within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) summoned the Chinese Embassy's Charge d'Affaires on March 25 to lodge a formal protest.
The Philippine Embassy in Beijing was also instructed to deliver the same message to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
“China has no right to be in Ayungin Shoal,” the DFA asserted in a statement shared by Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commodore Jay Tarriela, also the spokesperson of the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (TF WPS).
The shoal, a low-tide elevation, falls within the Philippines' EEZ and continental shelf as defined by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and affirmed by the 2016 Arbitral Award.
The DFA emphasized that China's interference with the Philippines' lawful activities in its EEZ is “unacceptable” and infringes upon its sovereign rights.
It demanded the immediate withdrawal of Chinese vessels from the area.
The DFA said the Philippines has made “sincere efforts” to follow through on President Marcos' and President Xi's commitment to de-escalate tensions in the area. However, China's actions cast doubt on its sincerity in promoting peace and stability in the South China Sea.
“The Philippines has made sincere efforts to implement the instruction of President Marcos and President Xi to lower tensions. China's aggressive actions call into question its sincerity in lowering the tensions and promoting peace and stability in the South China Sea,” it said.
The DFA stressed that China's aggression contradicts ongoing ASEAN-China efforts to foster regional cooperation.
“Even as the Philippines continues to engage China in dialogue and diplomacy at the bilateral and multilateral levels, China's aggressive actions contradict and put to waste ASEAN-China efforts to promote practical activities to foster peace and cooperation in the region,” it added.
The Philippines urged China to adhere to international law, respect the rights of other states, and cease its violations of UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award. (JCO/PIA-NCR)
