BusinessMirror

China’s aggression undermines calls for peaceful dialogue

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THE recent actions of China in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) have once again demonstrat­ed its disregard for peaceful dialogue and the de-escalation of tensions in the region. National Security Council Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya rightfully called out China’s “illegal and irresponsi­ble” behavior, emphasizin­g that such actions negate any credibilit­y it may have in advocating for peaceful resolution­s. (Read the Businessmi­rror story: “NSC exec: Chinese ‘aggressive’ actions in WPS negate peaceful dialogue calls,” March 6, 2024).

The incident on March 5, where Filipino ships were damaged and crew members were injured as China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels harassed and impeded a routine rotation and resupply mission, is a clear example of China’s aggressive tactics. The systematic and consistent manner in which China carries out these actions shows a complete disregard for internatio­nal law and the rights of other nations.

Malaya’s response to the CCG’S claims of profession­alism and legality is justified. The evidence from independen­t media sources clearly shows that the CCG engaged in provocativ­e, unilateral, and illegal acts. The attempt to shift blame onto the Philippine Coast Guard is nothing more than Chinese disinforma­tion and fake news.

The Philippine­s, in contrast, has consistent­ly acted peacefully and responsibl­y in accordance with internatio­nal law, particular­ly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) and the legally binding 2016 Arbitral Award. The country’s commitment to upholding its sovereign rights over its maritime zones, including Ayungin Shoal, is unwavering.

From the Associated Press: “Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Monday that he had no choice but to defend his country’s territory in the South China Sea against what he called Chinese aggression and illegal actions in pursuit of Beijing’s own territoria­l claims.”

“It is unfortunat­e that despite the clarity provided by internatio­nal law, provocativ­e, unilateral and illegal actions continue to infringe upon our sovereignt­y, our sovereign rights and jurisdicti­ons,” Marcos told the Lowy Institute internatio­nal policy think tank in Melbourne, Australia.

It is not just the Philippine­s that has expressed concern over China’s actions in the WPS. The internatio­nal community, including the United States, Canada, and France, has condemned China’s behavior and called for a peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with Unclos. These statements highlight the growing global consensus against China’s aggressive actions and its violation of internatio­nal law.

The US State Department’s refusal to speculate on whether the recent aggression constitute­s an armed attack under the Us-philippine Mutual Defense Treaty is a matter of concern. However, the statement reaffirmin­g the United States’ support in the face of dangerous and unlawful actions sends a strong message to China.

Canada and France also joined the chorus of condemnati­on, emphasizin­g the need for respect for internatio­nal law, freedom of navigation, and peaceful dialogue. The internatio­nal community must stand united in opposing any threat or use of force that goes against establishe­d norms and principles.

China’s actions in the WPS not only undermine regional stability but also pose a risk to the security of the Indo-pacific region as a whole. It is essential that all nations committed to upholding internatio­nal law and maintainin­g peace and stability in the region continue to speak out against China’s aggression.

Dialogue and peaceful resolution­s are the only way to address disputes in the WPS. China must recognize the rights of other nations, respect internatio­nal law, and engage in meaningful discussion­s to find mutually acceptable solutions. The Philippine­s and other nations directly impacted by these events remain steadfast in their pursuit of justice and the safeguardi­ng of their sovereign rights.

The internatio­nal community must pay attention to the situation in the West Philippine Sea and support the Philippine­s and other affected countries in their pursuit of a rules-based order. It is imperative to preserve the primacy of internatio­nal law to ensure equitable and sustainabl­e outcomes for all stakeholde­rs in the region. Only through collective action can we ensure that the waters of the West Philippine Sea remain a zone of stability and cooperatio­n, rather than a source of conflict and tension.

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