UK Foreign Secretary Condemns China's "Dangerous" Activities in South China Sea
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy has strongly
criticized China's actions in the disputed South China Sea, describing them as
"dangerous and destabilizing." The comments came following Lammy's
recent visit to the Philippines over the weekend.
In a video partially recorded aboard a Philippine Coast
Guard vessel, Lammy expressed concern over China's activities in the region.
"We're concerned about dangerous and destabilizing activities by China in
this region. The Philippines is at the sharp end of this, facing frequent
challenges to freedom of navigation and international law," he stated.
Lammy emphasized the importance of safe and secure trade
routes in the South China Sea for global economic growth. "Growth in the
UK and around the world depends on these trade routes being safe and
secure," he said in the video shared on social media platform X.
The South China Sea, a strategically vital waterway, is
claimed almost entirely by China, despite an international ruling invalidating
Beijing's claims. China has been deploying navy and coast guard vessels to
prevent Manila from accessing crucial reefs and islands in the area, resulting
in a series of recent confrontations.
During his visit, Lammy and his Filipino counterpart,
Enrique Manalo, signed a joint framework agreement to enhance defense and
maritime cooperation between the UK and the Philippines. "This joint
framework will help us deliver more cooperation on defence, on regional
security, on trade, on science, on tech, on climate and nature over this coming
period," Lammy announced at a press conference in Manila.
This agreement follows a similar deal between the
Philippines and Canada last week, aimed at strengthening their security
partnership. Manila has been actively seeking such pacts with various nations,
including the United States, Australia, and Japan, in response to increasing
tensions with China in the region.
The UK's stance aligns with growing international concern
over China's assertive behavior in the South China Sea, as nations seek to
maintain freedom of navigation and uphold international law in these contested
waters.
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