July 11, 2025 – Ottawa (Ontario) – World Affairs Canada
Today, World Affairs Canada has published the following statement:
“Canada reaffirms its unwavering commitment to maintaining the free and open Indo-Pacific region. In 2016, the permanent court of arbitration issued its decision in the case between China and the Philippines about the Southern China Sea.
“Canada reiterates that this decision of July 12, 2016 is legally restrictive for the parties and laid the foundations for peaceful regulations for competing maritime claims in the region, in accordance with international law.
“The coercive and dangerous gestures of China against the Philippin and Vietnamese ships, in particular the use of water cannons, perilous maneuvers, spurry, forced towing and illegal ships of ships, endanger the safety of sailors and seriously compromise peace and security in the region. Canada continues to urge China to comply with the court’s decision and stop all the maneuvers that exacerbate tensions and threaten maritime security.
“As indicated in its strategy for Indo-Pacific, Canada collaborates with the Member States of the Association of Nations of Southeast Asia (Anase), including the Philippines, in order to ensure full respect for international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law, in the Southern China Sea.
“Canada also greets continuous efforts made by Anase member states to develop an effective and substantial code of conduct for the Southern China Sea. It is essential to achieve an agreement on a common path to follow in order to create the conditions necessary for effective, responsible and collaborative management of maritime resources, the maintenance of maritime security and the preservation of marine biodiversity. »»
