MANILA – Japan, the European Union (EU) and the U.S. expressed concern over China’s activities on Scarborough Shoal, believing that these actions are creating tension in the South China Sea.
In separate posts on X social media platform or formerly Twitter, the countries expressed their opposition to Chinese vessels installing floating barriers along the vicinity of Scarborough Shoal to prevent Filipino fishermen from entering the lagoon considered as a traditional fishing ground.
According to Japanese Ambassador KOSHIKAWA Kazuhiko, “Japan strongly opposes any actions that increase tensions in the South China Sea.”
Koshikawa also shared a statement from Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary MATSUNO Hirokazu, saying they are closely monitoring China’s activities in the South China sea “with concern.”
He further stated that “issues surrounding the South China Sea are directly connected to regional peace and stability, and are a legitimate concern of the international community, including Japan.”
Matsuno added that Japan strongly opposes any actions that increase tensions in the South China Sea.
Ambassador Luc Veron of the EU also expressed his concern on the issue, posting on X that “installation of the floating barrier is dangerous, detrimental to the livelihoods of Philippine fishermen, and disregards the peace-driven objectives of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).”
The U.S., together with Japan and the Philippines, said that it will continue to call out behaviour that is inconsistent with international law.
In a post on X, the U.S. Embassy cited China’s recent actions, particularly the shadowing and blocking of Philippine vessels undergoing resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal.
In a statement from the U.S. Department of State Spokesman Matthew Miller, he said that “the U.S. is committed to uphold our shared values of freedom, democracy, and respect for human rights, and reaffirmed our shared vision, as equal and sovereign partners, for a free and open Indo-Pacific region that upholds international law.”
This is after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko and Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo held a trilateral meeting in New York on September 22 during the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week.
According to Miller, “the three countries will continue to call out behavior that is inconsistent with international law.”
In accordance with the Presidential directive, the Philippine Coast Guard removed the floating barriers installed by China, which was placed along Scarborough Shoal on Friday by three Chinese Coast Guard rigid hull inflatable boats and a Chinese maritime militia service boat upon the arrival of personnel from the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in the vicinity.
China claims that a BFAR vessel from the Philippines “intruded” into the adjacent waters of Huangyan Dao and attempted to enter its lagoon “without China’s permission”.
China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin mentioned that the China Coast Guard did what was necessary to “block” and “drive away” the Philippine vessel.
China then warns the Philippines on Tuesday to “not make provocations” after the PCG removed the floating barriers installed by China at the vicinity near the Scarborough Shoal.
In a press briefing in Beijing, Wang said that the Philippines should not stir up trouble.
“We urge the Philippines not to make provocations or seek trouble,” Wang said.
He added that China is unwavering in its resolve to safeguard its sovereignty and maritime rights and interests over what the Chinese call Huangyan Island or Bajo de Masinloc to Filipinos.
“China’s resolve to safeguard its sovereignty and maritime rights and interests over Huangyan Island (also known as Scarborough Shoal) is unwavering,” he said.
Earlier, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) released a statement on Monday saying it is ready to take all appropriate measures to protect the country’s sovereignty over Scarborough Shoal.
According to the DFA, the shoal, locally known as Bajo de Masinloc, “is an integral part of the Philippines over which we have sovereignty and territorial jurisdiction according to UNCLOS.”
Although the shoal is claimed by the Philippines, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Netherlands ruled in 2016 that no country can claim sovereign rights over Scarborough, saying it is a traditional fishing ground for Filipino, Vietnamese and Chinese fishermen.
