Philippines backs Germany’s statement on China

MANILA, Philippines — Germany should not be criticized for speaking out against China as its dangerous actions in the West Philippine Sea are also the international community’s concern, according to Philippine Coast Guard-WPS spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock recently earned the ire of the Chinese embassy in the Philippines for allegedly “disregarding basic facts” and making an “unwarranted accusation” about China’s South China Sea policy.

“It is critical for all nations to come together and denounce such interpretations as a direct challenge to the international institutions that uphold peace and order in the world,” Tarriela posted on X, formerly Twitter.

Baerbock earlier said the rising tension in the region and China’s dangerous actions against the Philippines are concerns for Europe.

“No non-regional country has the right to interfere in the maritime disputes between China and the Philippines,” the Chinese embassy spokesperson said.

The dispute between China and the Philippines, it claimed, is beyond the scope of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

As for the 2016 arbitral ruling in favor of the Philippines, the Chinese embassy reiterated it violated the principle of state consent.