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Europe concerned with South China Sea, says German minister

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Europe is concerned about developments in the disputed South China Sea where tensions between the Philippines and China have flared up recently, Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said, according to Bloomberg.

“The incidents over the recent months where the Chinese coast guard has used lasers and water cannons against Philippine resupply vessels, and even the collisions that happened are of concern for us in Europe,” Baerbock said in a briefing on Thursday after her meeting with Philippine counterpart Enrique Manalo in Manila.

China has laid claims over nearly the entire South China Sea, including areas the Philippines and its neighbors in Southeast Asia say are part of their maritime territories.

Baerbock said “such claims are not covered by international law,” citing what she calls a “crystal clear” ruling by an international tribunal in 2016 that voided China’s sweeping maritime claims. Beijing has rejected that ruling.

Ahead of her Philippine visit, Baerbock said in a statement that freedom of shipping routes and the security of supply chains are “at stake” amid an “increasingly assertive” China. She also pointed out the “strategic significance” of Southeast Asia, with which Germany enjoys close economic ties.

The “risky maneuvers” of Chinese vessels at sea violate economic rights and opportunities of other countries, she said during the briefing. “They also call into question the freedom of navigation that is enshrined in international law affecting all countries worldwide,” she added.

Baerbock said Germany has deployed reconnaissance drones to bolster maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region. “We want to continue this cooperation in the coastal area not only with regard to additional drones but also when it comes to training and regional cooperation,” she said.

Manalo said economic collaboration was also a key focus of his discussions with the German minister as well as boosting defense cooperation and support of Germany for capacity building of the Philippine coast guard.

Baerbock is also scheduled to visit Malaysia and Singapore this week.