Mr. Duterte speaks out about the incident of Chinese ships spraying water cannons at Co May Shoal
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte called on China to exercise maximum restraint after three Chinese Coast Guard ships blocked and sprayed water cannons at a Philippine supply ship at Second Thomas Shoal.
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| Philippine President Rodrigo R. Duterte. Photo: AFP/VNA |
“We protest the recent incident at the Second Thomas Shoal and consider similar developments to be a matter of concern. The incident is not in keeping with the partnership between the two countries,” Duterte said.
The Philippine President called on all parties to avoid escalating tensions and to resolve disputes peacefully in accordance with international law. He also urged China to continue to pursue its commitment to finalize the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC).
Earlier, Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin said the incident occurred on November 16. Three Chinese coast guard ships obstructed and fired water cannons at a Philippine ship that was on a journey to supply food to forces on Second Thomas Shoal (part of Vietnam's Spratly Islands) in the East Sea. There were no casualties in this incident.
The head of the Philippine foreign ministry said the Chinese Coast Guard vessel's obstruction was illegal. He also warned that Beijing's lack of restraint would threaten the special relationship between the two countries. The Philippine Foreign Ministry has sent a protest note to the Chinese Embassy in Manila and the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
For his part, speaking at a press conference on November 19, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said that two Philippine ships had “intruded into the waters” near the Spratly Islands (under Vietnam’s sovereignty) on November 16. He said that the Philippine ships had entered these waters “without the consent” of China.
Regarding the Philippines' accusation that China obstructed its supply ships in the East Sea, Spokesperson of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang stated on November 18: Vietnam's stance on sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos and the East Sea issue in general is clear and consistent. Vietnam requests that all parties comply with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea in all activities in the East Sea, refrain from actions that complicate the situation, and contribute to maintaining peace, security, stability and legal order at sea in the region.
