Written question asked by Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party) on Monday, 25 November 2024, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 27 November 2024. It was answered by Catherine West (Labour) on Tuesday, 3 December 2024 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

China and Philippines: Patrol Craft

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of reported clashes between Chinese and Philippine patrol vessels.

Answer: In the South China Sea, we are committed to international law, the primacy of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and to freedom of navigation and overflight. We oppose any action that raises tensions or the risk of miscalculation and take no sides in the sovereignty disputes. We encourage all parties to settle their disputes peacefully through the existing legal mechanisms, particularly UNCLOS. During the Foreign Secretary's recent visit to China, he raised the importance of sustained dialogue on issues of mutual concern, and the UK's interests in regional peace and stability.

Secondary information