Dutch warship approached by Chinese Navy in South China Sea – commander

Metro Manila, Philippines – A Dutch warship deployed in the Indo-Pacific was approached by the Chinese Navy while passing through the South China Sea before arriving in Manila this week, according to the vessel’s commander.

Commander Roger de Wit of the Royal Netherlands Navy frigate HNLMS De Ruyter said the interaction took place after the ship entered the South China Sea through the Balabac Strait near Palawan.

“We went to Celebes Sea, Sulu Sea and south of Palawan to Balabac Strait and that’s when we entered the South China Sea,” de Wit told reporters aboard the vessel.

“Our interaction with the Chinese Navy was limited. We were approached by a helicopter but it was really professional on both sides. They just asked who we were and they left,” he added.

The Dutch warship is currently in Manila for a port visit marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the Netherlands.

De Wit said the deployment forms part of the Netherlands’ broader Indo-Pacific mission focused on maritime security and freedom of navigation.

“The main reason is to promote freedom of navigation, which is a vital role for the Netherlands and Europe,” he said.

“So stability in this area is really important for the Netherlands.”

The Philippines and China have competing claims in the South China Sea with Manila’s legal foundation anchored in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award.

Dutch Ambassador to the Philippines Marielle Geraedts also underscored the importance of international law and the arbitral ruling.

“What I think, the Philippines and the Netherlands are both partners in defending the international rule of law and specially the 2016 arbitral award,” Geraedts said.

“Having this ship sailing through the South China Sea underlines the importance of freedom of navigation [and] international law of the sea, and we call on all parties to abide by it,” she added.

The HNLMS De Ruyter is an air defense frigate capable of anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare operations, including countering drones and missile threats.