MANILA — The Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers have condemned China’s provocative actions in the Indo-Pacific, particularly its harassment of Philippine vessels in the South China Sea (SCS).
During a meeting in Charlevoix, Quebec, on March 12-14, 2025, the diplomats expressed alarm over China’s increasing use of dangerous maneuvers and water cannons against Philippine ships. They also criticized China’s efforts to restrict freedom of navigation and overflight in the region, labeling these actions as violations of international law.
The G7 reaffirmed their commitment to upholding a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific, emphasizing the importance of sovereignty, peaceful dispute resolution, and human rights. The group also pledged to enhance cooperation for greater security and resilience across the region.
The statement noted the G7’s support for provisional arrangements to avoid environmental harm in disputed maritime areas and called on coastal states to refrain from unilateral actions that could impede future agreements. This follows a prior arrangement between the Philippines and China, allowing unimpeded rotation and resupply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal, an area in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
The G7 includes Canada, France, the United States, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom.
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