EU sides with Philippines over South China Sea water cannon incident

European Union statement highlights Hague ruling upholding Manila’s claim to Spratly Islands where confrontation took place

Beijing does not recognise the ruling and requires ‘foreign’ vessels in what it regards as its waters to register with maritime authorities

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A Chinese coast guard ship and a Philippine supply boat during a 2014 stand off near the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. Photo: AFP

Published: 8:30pm, 22 Nov 2021Updated: 10:20pm, 22 Nov 2021

The European Union has become the latest to voice opposition to the firing of Chinese water cannon at supply boats from the Philippines in the disputed South China Sea, as the incident draws mounting criticism against Beijing.

“Last week, coastguard vessels of the People’s Republic of China blocked two Philippine supply boats on their way to Second Thomas Shoal, 105 nautical miles west of the province of Palawan (Philippines) in the South China Sea, and used water cannons against them. This episode follows other unilateral actions by vessels of the People’s Republic of China in the South China Sea over the past months,” the EU said in a statement published on Sunday.

“The European Union reiterates its strong opposition to any unilateral actions that endanger peace, security and stability in the region and the international rules-based order.”

The Chinese diplomatic delegation to the EU hit back, saying the bloc’s remarks would only create a negative impact on regional peace and stability.

The EU statement followed Washington’s condemnation on Friday, which called the Chinese moves “dangerous, provocative, and unjustified” and warned that an armed attack on Philippine vessels would invoke US mutual defence commitments. Ambassadors from Australia, Japan, Germany and France in the Philippines also issued short statements supporting Manila.

Beijing has been pushing for progress on the established of a non-binding code of conduct in the South China Sea, after continuing conflicts with other claimants to the disputed waterway, which include Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.

Addressing Asean leaders at a virtual summit on Monday, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for “joint efforts” to safeguard stability in the South China Sea and “make it a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation”. The gathering marked the 30th anniversary of ties between Beijing and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.