G7 calls out China over intimidation

MANILA, Philippines — Seven of the world’s most powerful democracies comprising the Group of Seven (G7) have issued a joint communiqué calling on China to stop its militarization of the South China Sea (SCS) and denouncing its use of dangerous maneuvers and water cannons against Philippine vessels.

The issuance of the communiqué dated April 19 came after their Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in Capri, Italy. The G7 includes Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. The European Union (EU) is a “non-enumerated” member.

In its communiqué, the G7 also said China’s vast maritime claims in the SCS have no legal leg to stand on.

“There is no legal basis for China’s expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea, and we oppose China’s militarization, coercive and intimidation activities in the South China Sea,” the G7 said in the communiqué.

“We continue to oppose 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 and we express serious concern about the increasing use of dangerous maneuvers and water cannons against Philippine vessels in this regard,” the G7 declared in its statement.

“We are seriously concerned about the situation in the East and South China Seas and reiterate our strong opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion,” the joint statement read.

The group also emphasized “the universal and unified character of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)” and reaffirmed the international law’s “important role in setting out the legal framework that governs all activities in the oceans and the seas.”

The group also reiterated its recognition of the Arbitral Tribunal ruling on July 12, 2016, calling it “a significant milestone, which is legally binding upon the parties to those proceedings and a useful basis for peacefully resolving disputes between the parties.”

The ruling, issued by the Permanent Court of Arbitration based in The Hague, invalidated China’s vast claims in the South China Sea and reaffirmed the Philippines’ maritime entitlements.

The G7 also