The United Kingdom (UK) has expressed concern over the supposed “dangerous conduct” in opposition to Filipino vessels within the South China Sea, British Ambassador to the Philippines Laure Beaufils stated on Monday.
The ambassador made the comment every week after a China Coast Guard ship minimize off Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Malapascua on April 23 on the Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal) within the Spratly Islands, which brought about a near-collision.
“The UK is concerned by continued reports of dangerous conduct towards Filipino vessels in the South China Sea,” Beaufils stated in a tweet.
She added that the UK stays dedicated to worldwide regulation, significantly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), within the South China Sea.
In March, Beaufils stated the AUKUS safety bloc consisting of Australia, UK, and the United States will help the Philippines and neighboring international locations by serving to deter threats to a rules-based worldwide order and freedom of navigation within the South China Sea amid escalating tensions within the contested waters.
The Philippines, which has filed greater than 200 diplomatic protests in opposition to Beijing’s aggressive habits within the West Philippine Sea since final 12 months, welcomed the launching of the AUKUS safety alliance as a counterbalance to China within the area.
For his half, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. stated he has taken up with the Chinese authorities the close to crash incident of the Philippine and China vessels.
China stated the near-collision was brought on by the Philippine Coast Guard’s “premeditated and provocative action,” but the latter stressed that its maritime patrol in the West Philippine Sea was “non-provocative.”—Giselle Ombay/AOL, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
