France, Germany Back Philippines’ Claim After Chinese Ship Incursions

An activist holds a prop with the words "defend West Philippine Sea" during a protest outside the Chinese Consulate in Manila's financial district, guarded by Philippine police, on the anniversary of an international arbitral court ruling invalidating Beijing's historical claims over the waters of the South China Sea in Makati City, Philippines, on July 12, 2021. Eloisa Lopez/Reuters

France and Germany have voiced concern over the recent incidents in the South China Sea and affirmed support for a 2016 arbitrary ruling on the sea dispute, which upheld the Philippines’ territorial claims.

The French embassy called for respect for international law and resolving disputes through dialogue after reports of Philippine coast guard ships being “followed” and “harassed” by two Chinese vessels in Ayungin Shoal on June 30.

“We are resolutely opposed to any use of force or threat to do so. We recall, in this regard, the Arbitration award rendered under UNCLOS on the 12^th of July 2016,” the embassy said in a statement on July 8.

German envoy Anke Reiffenstuel said that such “aggressive behavior has no place in the South China Sea” and called to respect the rules-based maritime order “with the 2016 Arbitration ruling as its center.”

Beijing’s claim of sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea was invalidated by an international arbitration ruling in 2016, but the ruling didn’t see the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) change its behavior.

The CCP has been behaving more aggressively in the South China Sea in recent months, as evidenced by the presence of three Chinese coast guard ships and two Chinese navy vessels at Sabina Shoal, part of the Spratly Islands.

The Philippine military also reported spotting 48 Chinese fishing boats around Iroquois Reef, south of the Recto Bank—an oil- and gas-rich reef located within the Philippine exclusive economic zone—on June 30.

Envoys of the United States and Japan have also expressed concern following the reports, stating that China’s “unilateral actions” in the disputed waters pose a threat to regional peace and stability.

“The PRC’s [People’s Republic of China’s] irresponsible behavior in the South China Sea threatens the security and legal rights of our treaty ally, the Philippines,” U.S. envoy MaryKay Carlson wrote on Twitter.

France Joins Patrol in Philippine Sea

The United States has increased its patrols in the South China Sea in response to China’s military assertiveness in the region. Last month, ships from the navies of Japan, France, and Canada joined U.S. Navy carrier strike groups to operate as a unified force in the Philippine Sea.

More than 12,000 sailors from the four nations participated in the drills, which involved the aircraft carriers USS Nimitz and USS Ronald Reagan, as well as Japan’s large-deck helicopter destroyer JS Izumo.

“The credibility of an integrated carrier strike force is the U.S. Navy’s greatest deterrent to those who threaten the international rules-based order,” Rear Admiral Jennifer Couture said in a statement.

France deployed its navy ship Lorraine for a six-day port visit to the Philippines on June 23. Captain Xavier Bagot, commanding officer of Lorraine, discussed cooperation with the Philippine Navy during the visit.

A Chinese Coast Guard ship with bow number 5201 blocks Philippine Coast Guard ship BRP Malapascua as it maneuvers to enter the mouth of the Second Thomas Shoal locally known as Ayungin Shoal at the South China Sea on April 23, 2023. Aaron Favila/AP Photo

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has said that it will keep exposing Chinese ship incursions in the South China Sea as part of its strategy to drive Chinese forces out of its territorial waters.

PCG spokesman Jay Tarriela said this would prompt the international community to criticize China’s actions and prevent Chinese vessels from occupying Philippine-controlled islands in the disputed waters.

“If you let them swarm in a particular area where you can’t make them public, or nobody knows, it might be the best approach for them to occupy [the area] and take control over it,” Mr. Tarriela told a local broadcaster on July 9.

“So it’s very important for us to expose it, and then—only then—will we follow with the deployment of our government assets,” he said, adding that the PCG will increase navy patrols in the Philippine waters.