The United Kingdom and Germany have joined nations expressing their dismay over the alleged laser-pointing harassment of a Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel to a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ship that was on a resupply mission in the Ayungin Shoal last week.
German Ambassador to Manila Anke Reiffenstuel, in a tweet, said that Germany is concerned about the recent intimidatory actions of the CCG against the PCG, at the same time reiterating the 2016 Arbitral Decision as “final and legally binding.”
“We call to refrain from any conduct that increases tensions. All states must abide by UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea),” she said.
“The 2016 Arbitral Award is final and legally binding,” Reiffenstuel stressed.
The British Embassy in Manila, in a separate statement, said that the United Kingdom sees the incident as a form of harassment against PCG and a clear violation and disrespect of international law.
“The UK supports and joins the Philippines in expressing our serious concern regarding the intimidatory actions towards lawfully operating Philippines vessels in the South China Sea. These dangerous acts violate international law.”
Australia, Japan, the United States (US), and Canada have earlier voiced out their apprehension against China’s continuous growing aggression against Filipino fishers and PCG crew members in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Last February 6, the PCG published a press release narrating how a CCG vessel directed a military-grade laser towards one of their vessel on a resupply mission in the Ayungin Shoal, impairing the vision of their crew members on board.