UK condemns Chinese actions against Philippines vessels in South China Sea

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) — The UK on Wednesday issued a condemnation after the Chinese Coast Guard and Maritime Militia seized and expelled Philippine boats attempting to resupply a military outpost in a contested South China Sea shoal.

"The UK strongly condemns the dangerous actions taken by Chinese Coast Guard and Maritime Militia vessels against the Philippines near Second Thomas Shoal," a spokesman of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said in a statement.

Denouncing China's conduct as a flagrant violation of international norms, the spokesman highlighted reports of unlawful conduct during the incident.

"China’s disregard for international law amidst reports of unlawful conduct in the boarding and towing of Philippine government vessels is extremely concerning," the statement said.

"Chinese actions interfered with navigational freedoms, caused damage to Philippine vessels, and injury to personnel. These actions are escalating regional tensions and causing unnecessary risk of miscalculation."

"We reiterate our support for UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and call on both sides to adhere to the legally binding findings of the Tribunal in the South China Sea Arbitration," it added.

In fresh escalation between Beijing and Manila, the China Coast Guard on Monday "blocked, boarded, searched" a Philippines vessel which "intruded" into waters near the submerged reef in the Spratly Islands, South China Sea.

The Philippines vessel was later “forcefully expelled” from the disputed area where it “attempted to send materials to its illegally grounded warship,” said the Coast Guard.

Manila, for its part, confirmed Beijing's actions and accused the Chinese Navy, Coast Guard, and Maritime Militia of "disrupting" its supply vessel through "illegal and aggressive actions."

​​​​​​​The two maritime neighbors have conflicting claims over the Second Thomas Shoal — also known as the Ayungin Shoal, Bai Co May and Ren'ai Jiao.