By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora
MANILA – Visiting Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Wednesday voiced concern over “destabilizing and risky” behavior in the region following China’s recent ballistic missile test and an incident involving the Chinese Coast Guard that resulted in a Filipino Navy personnel getting injured near Ayungin Shoal.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting in Pasay City, the Australian top diplomat said she raised the matter during her separate bilateral meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
“We have made clear publicly and directly to China that we regard the missile test as destabilizing,” she said.
“More broadly, on the South China Sea, I have made public comments about the incident involving the members of the Philippines’ Navy and the Chinese personnel. We have said we have real concerns about behavior that is destabilizing and risky,” she added.
She reiterated that Canberra will continue calling for a region where all countries, including great powers, adhere to international law.
A Philippine Navy member earlier sustained a head injury after being struck with a wooden baton by Chinese Coast Guard personnel near Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.
Wong pointed out that ASEAN has the influence and reach to help resolve issues besetting the region, including these repeated incidents taking place in the South China Sea.
Collectively, Wong said countries in the region must take a firm stand and repeat calls on countries to uphold international law and observe safe and professional conduct at sea and in the air.
“ASEAN has, by virtue of its history, its place in the region, it has the power to set expectations, to engage in diplomacy, to express its view about activities,” she said.
“(We) know that peace and stability can only be achieved if we work for it. We are concerned about some of the aggression we are seeing. We are concerned about some of the destabilizing conduct we are seeing. And the countries of the region have a choice to make about how we all respond to that,” she added. (PNA)
