Japan to continue cooperation with int'l community ''to protect'' seas
As Japan expresses "serious concern" over the recent incident in the West Philippine Sea that caused a collision between Chinese and Filipino ships last Sunday, the Japanese government vows to continue cooperation with the international community "to protect free, open, and peaceful seas."
In a statement, the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines "expresses serious concern for actions which increase regional tensions including a dangerous action that caused a collision between Chinese and Filipino ships on October 22nd."
"Japan believes that the issue concerning the South China Sea is directly related to the peace and stability of the region and is a legitimate concern of the international community including Japan, and thus Japan opposes any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force as well as any actions that increase tensions in the South China Sea," it said.
"Japan will continue to cooperate with the international community such as ASEAN Member States and the United States to protect free, open, and peaceful seas," it added.
It also noted "Japan concurs with the Philippines’ long-standing objections to unlawful maritime claims, militarization, coercive activities and threat or use of force in the South China Sea" as stated in the Japan-Philippines Joint Statement in February 2023.
The Embassy emphasized that the government of "Japan highly appreciates the Government of the Philippines for having consistently complied with the Arbitral Tribunal’s award as to the disputes between the Republic of the Philippines and the People’s Republic of China regarding the South China Sea and shown its commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes in the South China Sea, as stated in the statement by the Foreign Minister of Japan issued on the occasion of the seventh anniversary of the issuance of the award.""Japan has consistently advocated upholding the rule of law at sea and re-emphasizes the importance of efforts toward a peaceful resolution of disputes based on international law," the Embassy said.
In its Facebook post, the Embassy of Korea in the Philippines also expressed concern over the incident as it reaffirms its support to the peace and stability in the region.
"On the recent reports of collisions between the Chinese and Philippine vessels in the South China Sea, the ROK Embassy in the Philippines is concerned about unilateral actions that raise tensions in the South China Sea and threaten the safety of crew members," the Embassy said.
"We reaffirm our support for peace, stability and rules-based order in the South China Sea, as an important international sea lane of communications, and for the freedom of navigation and overflight based on the principles of international law, including UNCLOS," it stated.
On its website, the Embassy of France in the Philippines also conveyed "its deep concern regarding the dangerous maneuvers observed in the South China Sea which caused two collisions between Chinese coast guard vessels and Philippine vessels engaged in the Philippine exclusive economic zone."
"France calls for respect of the freedom of navigation guaranteed by international law and recalls its attachment to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the decision rendered by the Arbitral Court on July 12, 2016," the Embassy said.
The Department of National Defense (DND) recognized the support expressed by Japan, France and South Korea to the Philippines.
"We wish to acknowledge the statements issued by the Governments of France, South Korea, and Japan supporting the Philippines in the latest incident wherein Chinese vessels, operating illegally, aggressively, and provocatively, hit Philippine ships in the West Philippine Sea," Arsenio Andolong, DND spokesman said in a statement on Tuesday.
The Philippine vessels were conducting rotation and resupply (RoRe) missions for the military troops stationed at BRP Sierra Madre when it was hit by the Chinese vessels that tried to block their way towards the Ayungin shoal. Robina Asido/DMS
