Australia, Japan and the United Kingdom have expressed concern over the presence of around 220 Chinese vessels on Julian Felipe Reef in the West Philippine Sea. “Japan strongly opposes any action that heightens tensions. The South China Sea issues are directly related to peace & stability and a concern for all. We support the enforcement of #RuleOfLaw in the sea & work with the int’l community to protect the free, open and peaceful seas,” Japanese Ambassador Koshikawa Kazuhiko tweeted. United Kingdom Foreign Office Minister Nigel Adams also tweeted: “The Philippines is an important partner for the United Kingdom in the Indo-Pacific. Earlier I spoke to Secretary of Foreign Affairs @teddyboylocsin about our Integrated Review & our shared concerns on #Myanmar and the South China Sea, including actions which raise tensions there.”

Lee-Brago, P., Romero, P., Felipe, C.S., Punay, E., & Villanueva, R. (2021, March 25). Australia, Japan, UK air concern over Chinese vessels. The Philippine Star, p. 2.