MANILA, Philippines (AP) 鈥 Germany鈥檚 top diplomat said Thursday that China鈥檚 actions in the South China Sea violate the rights of Asian coastal states like the Philippines and threaten freedom of navigation, but added that territorial disputes have to be resolved peacefully because 鈥渢he world doesn鈥檛 need another crisis."
Annalena Baerbock, who held talks with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and other top officials while visiting Manila, said Germany was ready to help de-escalate growing tensions and added that it was crucial to set up 鈥渕echanisms鈥 to resolve the disputes peacefully and foster dialogue.
"There are truly rough winds blowing across the and this is happening in the middle of one of the most dynamic economic regions of the world,鈥 she told a news conference in Manila, speaking through an interpreter.
鈥淚t is now important to set up mechanisms to solve tensions together in a peaceful way,鈥 she said without elaborating. 鈥淚 think we all agree that the world doesn鈥檛 need another crisis. There are too many crises at once.鈥
In a symbolic gesture of Germany鈥檚 support for the Philippines, Baerbock visited the coast guard headquarters in Manila and boarded a patrol ship, where she briefly flew one of a number of surveillance drones that Germany donated to the Philippines.
Philippine coast guard officials said the drones would help the country defend its territorial interests in the South China Sea, enforce maritime laws and undertake search and rescue missions during accidents at sea.
Chinese officials did not immediately issue a reaction.
The decades-long territorial dispute escalated last year between Beijing and Manila, sparking fears it could degenerate into a major conflict that could involve the United States, a of the Philippines.
Chinese coast guard ships and accompanying vessels used and against Philippine coast guard and supply vessels and undertook dangerous maneuvers near disputed shoals, prompting the Philippines to file a large number of , Philippine officials said.
The U.S. has repeatedly warned it is obligated to defend the Philippines if its forces, aircraft and ships come under an armed attack, including in the South China Sea. China has warned the U.S. and its allies not to meddle with what it says is a purely Asian dispute and build up its forces in the region, warning of unspecified consequences.
China's actions in the South China Sea, which have led to minor collisions with Philippine vessels, are of concern to Germany and other European countries, Baerbock said, 鈥渂ecause such risky maneuvers violate rights and opportunities for economic development of your own country and other littoral states.鈥
Baerbock held the news conference with her Philippine counterpart, Enrique Manalo.
鈥淭hey also put into question the freedom of navigation and international law, affecting all countries worldwide,鈥 she said, adding that China鈥檚 claims 鈥渁re not covered by international law.鈥
The German foreign minister, the first to visit the Philippines in about a decade to bolster ties, cited a panel that invalidated China鈥檚 extensive territorial claims on historical grounds. China refused to participate in the arbitration, dismissed its ruling as a sham and continues to defy it.
Baerbock said the arbitration ruling was 鈥渃rystal clear.鈥
___
Associated Press journalists Joeal Calupitan and Aaron Favila contributed to this report.
