Chinese SCS moves destabilizing – Australia

AUSTRALIA on Wednesday criticized “destabilizing and coercive” actions in the South China Sea (SCS), including unsafe encounters at sea and in the air and the militarization of disputed features.

Canberra said the pattern of “deeply concerning behavior” by China in the SCS “endangers the peace and security of the region, threatens lives and livelihoods, and creates risks of miscalculation and escalation.”

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) echoed the Philippines’ serious concern about the dangerous actions of Chinese ships against Filipinos conducting resupply missions in the SCS on March 5 and March 23.

“In both incidents, China’s vessels used water cannons and dangerous blocking maneuvers, resulting in injuries to crew and damage to Philippines resupply vessels,” the DFAT said in a statement shared by Australian Ambassador to Manila Hae Kyong Yu.

Australian Ambassador to Manila Hae Kyong Yu 

Australia stressed the importance of all states being able to exercise their rights and freedoms, including freedom of navigation, under international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

“Australia calls for restraint, peace and stability in the South China Sea and reiterates that the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award is final and legally binding on the parties,” the DFAT said.

Yu on Saturday wrote on the social media platform X that Unclos “is the basis for peace and stability in the South China Sea.”

“We share the Philippines’ serious concerns about dangerous conduct by China’s vessels adjacent to Second Thomas Shoal. This is part of a pattern of deeply concerning behavior,” Yu said.