Ottawa Condemns China’s Actions Against Philippine Vessels in South China Sea

A Chinese Coast Guard ship fires a water cannon at a Philippine Navy chartered vessel that's conducting a routine resupply mission to troops stationed at Second Thomas Shoal, in the South China Sea on March 5, 2024. (Ezra Acayan/Getty Images)

Ottawa is condemning China’s “dangerous and destabilizing actions” against Philippine vessels in the South China Sea after several Filipino navy personnel were injured.

Chinese forces reportedly seized two Philippine boats June 17 that were taking food and supplies to a military outpost in the South China Sea shoal.

“The PRC’s use of water cannons, dangerous maneuvers and ramming of Philippine vessels is inconsistent with the PRC’s obligations under international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea [UNCLOS],” Global Affairs Canada said in a statement.

At least eight Filipino personnel were injured in the incident. Five of the injured sailors were rescued by Philippine coast guard patrol ships.

The two boats that were seized were recovered by the Filipino navy after the Chinese coast guard took the contents, which included an unspecified number of rifles.

“Reports of boarding and towing of Philippine vessels by the [People’s Republic of China] PRC are deeply concerning,” Global Affairs Canada said.

“These actions jeopardize regional peace, stability and prosperity throughout the Indo-Pacific,” the agency said, adding that UN Charter principles must be maintained.

China claims almost the entire South China Sea as its own despite the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruling in 2016 that China’s claim has no legal basis. Beijing has rejected that ruling.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has said his country will not yield to “any foreign power” but added his country would not start a war. He has awarded medals to navy personnel who were involved in the incident.

Ottawa is now calling on Beijing to resolve the dispute with dialogue.

“Canada opposes escalatory and coercive actions, including the unilateral declaration of authority over disputed features,” the government statement said. “Disputes must be resolved through dialogue rather than through force or coercion.”

“We call upon the PRC to comply with its obligations, including implementation of the 2016 UNCLOS arbitral tribunal ruling, which is binding on the parties.”

The dispute over the territory involves China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink has described the situation as concerning.

“We think that China’s actions, particularly its recent actions, around the Second Thomas Shoal, vis-à-vis the Philippines have been irresponsible, aggressive, dangerous, deeply destabilizing,” Mr. Kritenbrink said, adding the U.S would “stand with our Filipino allies.”

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this article.