5 countries slam China's water cannon attack on Philippine ships

Five countries expressed support for the Philippines on Sunday as they condemned China Coast Guard ships' blockade and water cannon attack on Philippine resupply boats at the Ayungin Shoal, which is part of Philippines' territorial claims.

In a tweet on Sunday, Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines Peter MacArthur said Canada stands by United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 South China Sea Arbitration decision, which affirmed Manila's claims over parts of South China Sea.

The ruling by the international tribunal also invalidated China's sweeping claims over nearly the entire sea.

MacArthur tweets: 

Canada stands by UNCLOS and the 2016 South China Sea Arbitration decision. Recent provocative actions taken against Philippines are inconsistent with obligations of all countries under international law & risk escalation of tensions, to detriment of peace, security & prosperity.

— Peter MacArthur???????? (@AmbMacArthur) November 21, 2021

Also over the weekend, Michele Boccoz, ambassador of the French Republic to the Philippines, and German Ambassador to the Philippines Anke Reiffenstuel called on China to refrain from "conduct that endangers stability in the Indo-Pacific Region."

???????? and ???????? share serious concerns on latest incidents caused by 3 Chinese vessels against 2 supply boats in #SouthChinaSea. Call to refrain from conduct that endangers stability #IndoPacific. Firmly support dialogue between stakeholders on the basis on international law #UNCLOS

— Michèle Boccoz (@MBoccoz) November 20, 2021

Ambassador of Japan to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko said: 

Japan strongly opposes any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the East & South China Seas. Compliance with the 2016 Arbitral Award and the principle of peaceful settlement of disputes based on int'l law, UNCLOS, are vital for peace & prosperity for the region.

— Ambassador of Japan in the Philippines (@AmbJPNinPH) November 20, 2021

Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Steven Robinson said:

Australia has consistently expressed support for UNCLOS, the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award and an open and inclusive region. We continue to work with and support our ???????? partners on maritime issues and are concerned with recent destabilizing incidents in the SCS.

— Steven J. Robinson AO (@AusAmbPH) November 20, 2021

Philippine  Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. said the DFA already expressed “outrage, condemnation and protest" to China over the attack against two Philippine supply ships last November 16.

On the other hand, acting presidential spokesman and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said the Philippines will continue with resupply missions even after last week's tension between China and Philippine ships at Ayungin Shoal.

Earlier, the Philippine military said some Chinese vessels pulled out from the shoal following protests from United States and other countries. —LBG, GMA News