4-12-2023 (SYDNEY) France’s top diplomat, Catherine Colonna, urged Beijing on Monday to reconsider its assertive actions in the South China Sea, emphasizing that the world does not need any new crises. Her remarks came in response to China’s increasing military drills in the strategically significant Taiwan Strait and reports of harassment of Filipino fishing boats by the Chinese coast guard in disputed waters.
Australia had previously criticized Beijing for its “unsafe and unprofessional” conduct at sea, citing an incident where an Australian navy diver was injured by sonar pulses from an approaching Chinese warship.
Speaking at the Australian Press Club in Canberra, Foreign Minister Colonna expressed concern over recent incidents involving the Australian navy and the Philippines. She stressed the importance of maintaining calm and stability in the Taiwan Strait, highlighting the need to avoid escalating tensions.
While acknowledging China’s right to pursue its economic growth, Colonna emphasized that it should also meet international expectations on issues such as human rights. She stated that France would continue engaging with China in a constructive manner, citing positive signs of cooperation.
China claims a significant portion of the South China Sea, including waters and islands near its neighboring countries. However, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam have also asserted their claims to various islands and reefs in the region, which is believed to hold valuable petroleum resources.
