UK joins calls for peaceful resolution of sea row

LONDON – The United Kingdom is joining calls for a peaceful resolution of territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea and South China Sea involving China and its smaller neighbors including the Philippines.

Nicola Davis, head of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Security Team-Asia Pacific Directorate, said the British government is concerned about the tensions over disputed islands in the West Philippine Sea and would want international law to prevail.

“We’re really concerned about the rising tension and we call on all parties to resolve the dispute in line with international law,” Davis said in an interview at the FCO office here.

Davis, whose office handles security issues as well as maritime disputes, said that while the UK is not directly involved in the disputes, their immediate and peaceful resolution “is in our interest and global interest.”

The Philippines is appealing for support from the international community against China’s incursions in waters within Philippine territory.

China is also embroiled in maritime disputes with Taiwan and Japan and other Southeast Asian nations, particularly Vietnam.

The Philippines has stressed that international laws, specifically the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), should be the basis for resolving the territorial row.

Manila also wants a multilateral approach to resolving the conflict as against Beijing’s bilateral tack.

Addressing the United Nations General Assembly in New York last month, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario urged the international community to be more proactive to help solve the dispute “without threats or use of force” and in accordance with UNCLOS.

“Today, my country faces its most serious challenge to the security of its maritime domain and integrity of its national territory, as well as its effective protection of its marine environment,” Del Rosario said.

He did not mention China in his speech but he was apparently referring to the standoff at Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal involving Chinese and Filipino vessels.

The standoff began in April when Chinese maritime surveillance vessels arrived at the shoal to prevent Philippine authorities from arresting Chinese poachers on eight fishing boats. The poachers were able to leave the shoal with their illegal harvest of giant clams, endangered corals and live sharks.  – With Jaime Laude