Philippines Summons Chinese Diplomat Over Ayungin Shoal Incident
MANILA, March 25, 2024 – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) of the Republic of the Philippines has taken a firm stance against recent actions by the China Coast Guard and Chinese Maritime Militia in the South China Sea. In a statement released today, the DFA announced that it summoned the Charge d’affaires a.i. of the Chinese Embassy in Manila to express the country’s strong protest.
The diplomatic action follows an incident on March 23, 2024, where Chinese forces were reported to have aggressively interfered with a routine rotation and resupply mission by the Philippines in the Ayungin Shoal. The shoal, which lies within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, is protected under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and was affirmed by the 2016 Arbitral Award.
The DFA’s statement emphasized that China’s presence and activities in the area are without merit and infringe upon the sovereign rights and jurisdiction of the Philippines. The Philippine Embassy in Beijing has been instructed to lodge a similar demarche with the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Despite efforts by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and President Xi Jinping to de-escalate tensions, the recent actions by China have raised concerns over its commitment to peace and stability in the region. The Philippines continues to seek dialogue and diplomacy, but the aggressive maneuvers by Chinese vessels have undermined ASEAN-China efforts to foster cooperation.
The Philippines calls on China to adhere to international law, respect the rights of other states, and immediately withdraw its vessels from the Ayungin Shoal and the surrounding Philippine exclusive economic zone. The DFA’s message concludes with a demand for China to cease its violations of international law, including the UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award.