Below is the full statement:

1.              Japan reiterates serious concern over actions which increase regional tensions including recent dangerous actions that caused a collision between Chinese and Filipino ships.

2.              As stated in the MOFA Press Release on October 23, 2023, Japan believes that the issue concerning the South China Sea is directly related to the peace and stability of the region and is a legitimate concern of the international community including Japan, and thus Japan opposes any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force as well as any actions that increase tensions in the South China Sea.

3.              As stated in the Japan-Philippines Joint Statement (PDF) Open a New Window in February 2023, the Government of Japan concurs with the Philippines’ long-standing objections to unlawful maritime claims, militarization, coercive activities and threat or use of force in the South China Sea.

4.              Furthermore, Japan highly appreciates the Government of the Philippines for having consistently complied with the Arbitral Tribunal’s award as to the disputes between the Republic of the Philippines and the People’s Republic of China regarding the South China Sea and shown its commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes in the South China Sea, as stated in the statement by the Foreign Minister of Japan issued on the occasion of the seventh anniversary of the issuance of the award.

5.              Japan has consistently advocated upholding the rule of law at sea and re-emphasizes the importance of efforts toward a peaceful resolution of disputes based on international law.

6.              Japan will continue to cooperate with the international community such as ASEAN Member States and the United States to protect free, open, and peaceful seas.

It seems there’s no stopping China. Three weeks after intentionally hitting the Philippine Coast Guard vessel on its way to Second Thomas Shoal which is part of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, another dangerous ploy was committed by China on November 10, this time there were more than 10 Chinese ships blocked and harassed the supply mission of the Philippine Coast Guard.

The Philippine vessels were on their way to Ayungin Shoal to resupply food for Filipino troops aboard the BRP Sierra Madre, Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) deployed water cannons during a resupply mission at Ayungin Shoal.

In the statement of the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS), it said that the Chinese Coast Guard attacked the Philippine vessels with water cannon as they sailed towards Ayungin Shoal.

Meanwhile, several ambassadors took the X app (formerly Twitter) to reiterate support for the Philippines and urged China to observe the rule of law.

US Ambassador, MaryKay Carlson said in her post, Despite continued PRC harassment, the Philippines successfully and lawfully resupplied its forces on the BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal, located wholly within the 🇵🇭 EEZ. 🇺🇸 and 🇵🇭 stand together as #FriendsPartnersAllies for a #FreeAndOpenIndoPacific.

https://x.com/usambph/status/1722888297901699346?s=46

Ambassador Koshikawa Kazuhiko said, “We give high importance to a free & open maritime order based on the rule of law as JP-PH discussed during PM visit last week. Any harassment & actions which increase tensions are not tolerated.”

https://x.com/AmbJPNinPH/status/1722938327350038817?s=20

British Ambassador Laure Beaufils said, The the United Kingdom notes unsafe conduct again experienced by 🇵🇭 vessels on their resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal. We join 🇵🇭 in calling out actions that undermine peace & stability in SCS. We are committed to UNCLOS, under which 2016 Arbitral Award is final & legally binding on both parties.”

https://x.com/LaureBeaufils/status/1722937300055908555?s=20

Australian Ambassador HK Yu, PSM said, “Australia is again concerned by dangerous conduct, including the use of water cannons, by China’s vessels in the Philippines’ EEZ. Upholding international law, especially UNCLOS is fundamental to international peace and security. We call for UNCLOS to be respected.”

https://x.com/AusAmbPH/status/1722909126110691562?s=20

French Ambassador Marie Fontanel said, “I reaffirmed 🇫🇷 continuous support to the 🇵🇭 Coast Guards. Today again the resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre faced dangerous deliberate obstacles in 🇵🇭 EEZ but was eventually successful.”

https://x.com/MarieFontanel67/status/1722896756076327345

German Ambassador to the Philippines Ambassador Andreas Pfaffernoschke posted, “In view of today’s event in the South China Sea, 🇩🇪 reiterates its support for the 🇵🇭 in advocating respect for International law in the South China Sea, as an essential pillar for peace and security.”

https://x.com/germanyinphl/status/1722964505074782512?s=20

Finnish Ambassador Juha Pyykkö said, “I express our support to the Philippines calling for respect for international law in the South China Sea.”

https://x.com/JuhaPyykko/status/1723235688597086527?s=20

Canadian Ambassador David Hartman posted, “Canada is concerned by dangerous maneuvers and use of water cannon by the Coast Guard and maritime militia of the People’s Republic of China in the Philippine’s EEZ, the latest in a series of escalating acts of intimidation. This undermines regional peace and stability. 🇨🇦🇵🇭”

https://x.com/AmbDBHartman/status/1723130303068487978?s=20

Dutch Ambassador Marielle Geraedts said, “NLinPhilippines
underlines the importance of UNCLOS and the 2016 arbitral award.”

https://x.com/geraedtsmariel/status/1722929398184399231?s=20

European Ambassador Luc Véron said, “We reiterate our support to the 🇵🇭 in its call for the full observance of International Law in the South China Sea.”

https://x.com/EUAmbPH/status/1722900927559205160?s=20

This is not the first time that China provoked the Philippines just this year the Chinese Coast Guards attacked the Philippine coastguards with military-grade lasers and water cannons while resupplying in the Ayungin Shoal. Apart from that, China continues to harass and block the supply to BRP Sierra Madre for those manning the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and defies the arbitral ruling that the Philippines won in 2016 in Hague, voiding their 9-dash line claim and reaffirmed sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea.

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The European Union reiterates its strong opposition to any unilateral actions that endanger peace, security and stability in the region and the international rules-based order. Furthermore, the European Union emphasizes the importance for all parties to respect freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea.  

We urge all parties to resolve disputes through peaceful means in accordance with international law, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), including its dispute settlement mechanisms. In this context, the European Union recalls the Arbitration Award rendered under UNCLOS on July 12, 2016, which found that Second Thomas Shoal lies within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. 

The European Union supports the ASEAN-led process towards a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, which should be effective, substantive and legally binding, and not prejudice the interests of third parties.