German foreign minister: Europe concerned over 'rising' tensions amid PH-China sea dispute

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 11)— Visiting German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said European countries are concerned about the recent developments in the South China Sea, especially Beijing's aggression that poses threats to international trade.

Following her bilateral meeting with Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo in Manila on Thursday, Baerbock said that «tensions are rising» in the region, as she cited the latest dangerous tactics that China launched against Filipino vessels.

«There are truly rough winds blowing across the South China Sea and this is happening in the middle of one of the most [important] economic regions of the world,» she said in a joint media briefing with Manalo.

She lambasted the Chinese coast guard's use of lasers and water cannons against Philippine ships en route to their resupply missionsactions which triggered an international backlash.

READ: China fires water cannons at BFAR vessels on humanitarian mission in WPS

"[These] are of concern also for us in Europe even though we're thousands of kilometers away because such risky maneuvers violate the rights and opportunities for the economic development of your country and other states as well," the official said.

«We want to make it clear that freedom of navigation is… essential for international trade,» Baerbock added.

Baerbock maintained that Germany is committed to respecting a rules-based international order.

«We have also talked about how important it is that we act together worldwide standing up for clear rules for the coexistence of nations,» she said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs, in a statement said Manalo thanked Baerbock for Germany’s «unflinching support for international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the final and legally-binding 2016 Arbitral Award.»

The arbitral award invalidated China's expansive claims in the South China Sea and largely favored Manila in its maritime dispute with Beijing.

The German official said her country would back and strengthen its ties with the Philippines, particularly in the area of defense.

Germany will continue assisting the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) with