MANILA — Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) reiterated serious concern over China’s actions in the South China Sea, including the part of it that is the West Philippine Sea, and reaffirmed the position that there is no basis for China’s sweeping claims over the tense waters.

The G7 — Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, and the European Union — made the statement from their summit in Apulia, Italy.

“We remain seriously concerned about the situation in the East and South China Seas and reiterate our strong opposition to any unilateral attempt to change the status quo by force or coercion,” the G7 leaders said.

“We continue opposing China’s dangerous use of coast guard and maritime militia in the South China Sea and its repeated obstruction of countries’ high seas freedom of navigation,” they also said.

They also raised “serious concern” about the “increasing use” of dangerous maneuvers and of water cannons against Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources boats and against chartered supply ships.

READ: US, EU, France condemn China’s latest water cannon attack vs PH

“In this regard, we reaffirm that there is no legal basis for China’s expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea, and we oppose China’s militarization, and coercive and intimidation activities in the South China Sea,” they said as they stressed the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea and the binding nature of the 2016 ruling on the Philippines’ arbitral case against China’s nine-dash-nine claim.

“We reiterate that the award rendered by the Arbitral Tribunal on 12 July 2016 is a significant milestone, which is legally binding upon the parties to those proceedings, and a useful basis for peacefully resolving disputes between the parties,” they said.

NEW CHINA POLICY VS 'TRESPASSERS'

China refused to participate in the arbitration case and has continued to reject the Hague ruling, claiming historical rights over the South China Sea and saying disputes over the sea should be settled among coastal states without what it has called interference from outside the region.

The West Philippine Sea is the part of the South China Sea within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and continental shelf and where the PCG and BFAR have been conducting resupply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre grounded on Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal and to fishers near Bajo de Masinloc (Panatag, Scarborough Shoal). 

The PCG and the Philippine government in general has been more vocal about incidents involving the China Coast Guard and Chinese maritime militia in the West Philippine Sea.

The administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has also sought greater engagement with its treaty ally the US and with security partners, including those in G7.

China in May passed a law allowing the China Coast Guard to detain “trespassers for up to 60 days without trial.

The new policy, which Marcos Jr. has called “completely unacceptable” and that the Department of Foreign Affairs says would contradict international law, takes effect on Saturday, June 15.

Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., Armed Forces of the Philippines chief-of-staff, has assured fisherfolk that security forces will protect them in case of attempts by China to implement Bejing’s policy in Philippine waters.

RELATED: Brawner tells Filipino fishermen in West PH Sea: ‘Go ahead and fish’

“Sinabi namin sa kanila for them not to be afraid, but to just go ahead with their normal activities na mangisda sa ating EEZ. Atin itong EEZ. We have the right to exploit the resources in the area,” he said Friday.

“Dapat hindi matakot ang ating mga mangingisda. Nandiyan po ang inyong AFP, ang ating Philippine Navy, pati na ang PCG. Marami tayong pinag-uusapan ngayon na mga hakbangin na gagawin in order for us to protect our fishermen,” he also said.

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