PH, Australia condemn China's 'dangerous, destabilizing' actions in South China Sea

The Philippine and Australian defense chiefs on Friday expressed concern over what they described as China's dangerous and destabilizing actions toward Philippine vessels in the South China Sea.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles discussed the matter during the 3rd Philippines-Australia Defense Ministers' Meeting in Darwin.

“They expressed concern regarding recent dangerous actions taken by China's Coast Guard at Second Thomas Shoal, resulting in injuries to Philippine Navy personnel,” their joint statement stated.

“They also expressed serious concerns about behavior that is aggressive and destabilizing, including water cannoning and ramming of vessels, which risks escalation and miscalculation,” it added.

The Philippines and Australia also reaffirmed the importance of upholding international law and the rules-based order, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

They noted that 2026 marks the 10th anniversary of the 2016 South China Sea arbitral ruling, which they described as a clear, unanimous and binding decision in the Philippines-China arbitration case.

Teodoro and Marles also expressed concern about China's recent test of a submarine launched ballistic missile from the South China Sea, flying over the Philippines and into the Pacific on July 6.

“Ministers called on all relevant countries to commit to participate in arrangements for providing appropriate advance notification of intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarine-launched ballistic missiles and space launch vehicles to affected states,” their statement read.

“Ministers re-affirmed expectations that all regional partners maintain safe and professional conduct and engage in transparency mechanisms such as the Hague Code of Conduct,” it added.

GMA News Online has sought comment from the Chinese Embassy in Manila about the matter but the office has yet to provide a statement as of posting time. — RSJ, GMA News