India Joins Chorus of Support for Philippines' Maritime Sovereignty
India has joined the chorus of support for Philippine maritime rights in the South China Sea, and China is pushing back.
On Tuesday, top Indian diplomat S. Jaishankar visited Manila to express firm support for the Philippines' sovereignty and to explore opportunities for defense cooperation.
"It is essential that India and the Philippines cooperate more closely to shape the emerging world," Jaishankar said at a press conference. "It's natural today that two countries whose trust and comfort is growing so rapidly that we will look at various new areas of cooperation. And certainly defense and security is one of them."
The Philippines is ordering India's BrahMos supersonic anti-ship missile system, and deliveries are expected to start as early as this month.
Manila has sharply criticized China for its interference in the Philippine exclusive economic zone. The two sides' coast guards and fishing fleets often face off at disputed reefs, particularly at Second Thomas Shoal, where the Philippine military maintains a small garrison to prevent Chinese incursions. Just last weekend, Philippine mariners were injured when the China Coast Guard used water cannons to turn back a supply convoy headed for this outpost.
The U.S., EU, Japan, and many Western governments have expressed support for the Philippines' claims, and have criticized China's desire to annex a segment of the Philippine EEZ. China, for its part, has said that it would prefer to negotiate with the Philippines alone, without the support of its allies.
“Maritime disputes are issues between countries concerned and any third party is not in a position to interfere,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Tuesday, in reference to India's statement of support. “We urge the relevant side to face facts of the issues of the South China Sea, respect the sovereignty and maritime interests of China and the efforts made by the regional countries in upholding peace and stability in the South China Sea."
China claims the vast majority of the South China Sea as its own, including Second Thomas Shoal and other features within the Philippines' 200-nautical-mile EEZ line. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled that China's claims were not consistent with international maritime law, and it issued a judgement in favor of the Philippines. China did not participate in the proceeding and has ignored the outcome.
New Video Shows Damage From China Coast Guard's Water Cannon Attack
A new video obtained by media outlet GMA shows the extensive damage that the China Coast Guard inflicted on a Philippine supply boat near Second Thomas Shoal last weekend. The Unaizah May 4 was hit repeatedly by high-power water cannons, breaking the windows on the bridge, soaking the upper deck level and injuring multiple crewmembers. It is the second time that Philippine servicemembers have been injured by Chinese forces at the reef.
On Saturday morning, CCG cutters and Chinese maritime militia vessels worked to block a convoy consisting of two PCG cutters and the supply boat Unaizah May 4, according to the Philippine Coast Guard. The Chinese vessels used water cannon to disable the Unaizah May, and video shows powerful water jets blasting through the upper deck level of the supply boat, lashing the crew and jumbling their cargo. The footage shows extensive interior damage, including serious damage to the pilothouse.
The supply boat required assistance from a nearby Philippine Coast Guard cutter, and it did not complete its mission. (A RIB launch did carry six personnel and a small quantity of cargo to the destination, the outpost on Second Thomas Shoal, according to the PCG.)
The altercation drew protests from Manila. The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs summoned China's ambassador on Monday to convey its "strong protest against the aggressive actions undertaken by the China Coast Guard." It also demanded that China withdraw its vessels from the area around Second Thomas Shoal, which is within the Philippine exclusive economic zone.
"China's aggressive actions call into question its sincerity in lowering the tensions and promoting peace and stability in the South China Sea," the ministry said in a statement.
China claims the vast majority of the South China Sea as its own, including Second Thomas Shoal and other features within the Philippines' 200-nautical-mile EEZ line. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled that China's claims were not consistent with international maritime law, but Beijing refuses to recognize the court's legitimacy.
“If China is not afraid to state its claims to the world, then why don’t we arbitrate under international law?” Philippine defense minister Locsin Teodoro told reporters in Manila on Monday. “No country believes [their claims]."
No comments:
Post a Comment