Japan, Australia concerned over dangerous Chinese actions in SCS

Japan and Australia on Tuesday joined the United States and European Union in opposing China’s latest aggressive actions against Philippine vessels conducting routine resupply operations for Filipino troops in Ayungin Shoal off the West Philippine Sea.

In a statement, the Japanese embassy in Manila has expressed “grave concern on the repeated dangerous actions” in the South China Sea, including the recent use of water cannon by the China Coast Guard, which resulted in Filipino injuries and a collision. 

“Japan will continue to stand with the Philippines and cooperate with like-minded countries to maintain the peace and stability in the region,” the embassy said.

Australia, currently hosting Southeast Asian leaders for a commemorative summit in Melbourne, also expressed concern about China’s latest aggressions.

“Discussing peace and stability at the #ASEAN50Aus Summit. Australia shares Philippines’ concerns about dangerous actions by China’s vessels at Second Thomas Shoal today,” Australian Ambassador H.K. Yu said on X.

 “We call for restraint and respect for international law, particularly UNCLOS.”

UNCLOS stands for United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea – regarded as the global constitution for the seas signed by 162 nations including Philippines and China.

The Philippines, China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei have been embroiled in years-long territorial disputes over resource-rich features in the South China Sea – feared as Asia’s next potential flashpoint for a major armed conflict.

China claims the waters nearly in its entirety despite an international tribunal ruling invalidating such an assertion.

Similarly in the East China Sea, Japan has its long-running territorial disputes with China.

China claims the islands as its territory and refuses to recognize Japan’s claim to the uninhabited islands which the Japanese call Senkakus in Japanese and the Chinese call Diaoyu. —NB/LDF, GMA Integrated News