MANILA – France has reiterated its support to the 2016 Arbitral Ruling as it expressed concern over the latest incident between the Philippine and Chinese coast guards in the South China Sea.
The French Embassy in Manila said it opposes any use of threat and called on all parties to respect the international law on the sea.
“Following the recent incidents in the South China Sea, we express our concern and call for respect for international law and the resolution of disputes through dialogue,” it said in a statement Monday.
“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 (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) on the 12th of July 2016,” it added.
Similar to Germany and the United Kingdom, France’s position on the South China Sea is that claims based on “historic rights” in the vital sea lane “do not comply with international law and UNCLOS provisions”.
In a naval operation on June 30, some Chinese Coast Guard vessels reportedly “followed, harassed, and obstructed” two of the Philippine Coast Guard’s ships.
On the same day, the Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command spotted more than 50 Chinese vessels near Iroquois Reef and Sabina Shoal in the West Philippine Sea. (PNA)
