UK, France, Germany express severe concerns over tensions in the South

Brussels: The United Kingdom, France and Germany expressed concerns over the situation in the South China Sea. The countries stated that ‘The tensions created in the South China Sea since the last few days, will threaten the security and stability in the region.’ All the concerned countries should make sincere efforts to reduce the tensions to avoid the crisis, the European countries appealed. However, China has dismissed the proposal of the three nations and warned them saying that outsiders need not poke their noses in matters concerning the South China Sea.

A few days ago, the United Kingdom, France and Germany issued a joint statement. The statement had an appeal, to abide by the resolution passed in the United Nations under the name of ‘United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea’ (UNCLOS). The United Kingdom, France and Germany released the statement saying that the developments in the region for the past few days were alarming.

It has become necessary for the countries in the region, to take steps to establish peace, security and stability in the South China Sea. Along with that, efforts are required to safeguard rights of the countries in the region, freedom of navigation and the liberty for air travel. The joint statement reminded all the nations that the movements in the South China Sea were required to be within the framework of the United Nations regulations and that all the countries were committed it.

The United States has consistently taken an aggressive stand, to challenge the Chinese domination in the South China Sea. It is openly known that the United Kingdom, France and Germany support the US stand. Although the United States has severe differences with the European countries on other subjects, the states concur that the Chinese activities in the South China Sea have reached a dangerous level.

The joint statement issued by the United Kingdom, France and Germany had reflected the same sentiment. Nevertheless, China has complained that the European countries as ‘Outsiders’ and has warned them not to poke their noses in the South China Sea issue. It has now become evident that China is becoming isolated on the subject of the South China Sea, at the international level. The statement of the three European countries indicates that there will be global repercussions if China continues to claim exclusive rights over the South China Sea.