© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: Chinese language militia vessels function at Whitsun Reef within the South China Sea, December 2, 2023. Philippine Coast Guard/Handout through REUTERS/File Picture
(Reuters) – China condemned Canada’s assist for the Philippines over what it mentioned had been violations of China’s sovereignty within the South China Sea, based on an announcement by a Chinese language embassy spokesperson in Canada.
“The South China Sea is the common home of countries in the region and should not become a hunting ground for Canada, the United States and other countries to pursue their geopolitical interests,” the assertion mentioned.
Over the previous few months, China and the Philippines have had a number of confrontations centred across the Second Thomas Shoal, an atoll within the South China Sea.
“As a country outside the region, Canada has emboldened the Philippines’ violation of China’s sovereignty, violated the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter, and jeopardised regional peace and stability,” the Canadian embassy spokesperson mentioned.
Manila has accused Chinese language coast guard and maritime militia vessels of repeatedly firing water cannon at its resupply boats and intentionally ramming a vessel close to the disputed waters.
The USA has voiced opposition to the run-ins and sided with the Philippines.
Over the weekend, a confrontation within the disputed waters drew condemnation from Canada in a authorities assertion denouncing “the actions taken by the People’s Republic of China against Philippine civilian and government vessels in the South China Sea.”
China, which claims almost the whole South China Sea as its personal, has repeatedly mentioned Philippine vessels had been encroaching on its nationwide sovereignty.
