The Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers have expressed growing concern over efforts to restrict freedom of navigation and overflight, particularly “through use of force and other forms of coercion,” in maritime zones like the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea.
In a statement released March 14 after their meeting in Canada, the foreign ministers said:
“We condemn China’s illicit, provocative, coercive and dangerous actions that seek unilaterally to alter the status quo in such a way as to risk undermining the stability of regions, including through land reclamations, and building of outposts, as well as their use for military purpose.
“We condemn, as well, dangerous vessel maneuvers, the indiscriminate attacks against commercial vessels and other maritime actions that undermine maritime order based on the rule of law and international law.”
In response to the growing risks in the South China Sea and other contested maritime zones, G7 urged countries to refrain from unilateral actions that could further destabilize the region.
The statement noted that attempts to alter the status quo through force or coercion not only heighten the risk of conflict but also jeopardize regional prosperity.
“We oppose unilateral attempts to change the status quo,” the G7 affirmed, emphasizing the need for dialogue and peaceful dispute resolution.
As one of the world’s leading political and economic coalitions, the G7’s support is crucial in reinforcing a rules-based international order. The G7’s collective influence ensures that issues like maritime security are addressed on the global stage, promoting international cooperation to ensure that maritime trade routes remain safe, secure, and open for all nations.
The G7 also reaffirmed the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as the cornerstone of maritime governance, reiterating that the convention provides a legal framework for resolving disputes.
In 2016, the Philippines scored a legal victory in a case against China, where the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled that China’s expansive territorial claims in the South China Sea have no legal basis.
The G7 ministers also flagged maritime security threats, such as illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, piracy, and human trafficking.
IUU fishing remains a significant challenge for the Philippines, depleting marine resources and threatening the livelihood of local communities.
The G7 has committed to strengthening enforcement efforts to combat IUU fishing and other maritime crimes, emphasizing the need for greater international cooperation.
The statement also highlighted the importance of regional maritime security frameworks to address collective threats.
The Philippines has long been a proponent of such cooperation, particularly through ASEAN, and has been actively engaged in multilateral discussions to strengthen maritime security in the region.
