European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, speaking at the Philippine Business Forum, condemned Beijing for its belligerent behavior and failure to fulfill its international obligations towards Ukraine, writes Politico.
Von der Leyen gave a speech at the plenary session on the 31st of July and said that China, which is a member of the UN, has not yet fully fulfilled its obligations under the UN Charter, according to which it must support Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
She warned that China’s demonstrations of military power must face an international response, and added that the European Union is expanding its involvement in the processes in the Indo-Pacific region.
Von der Leyen also mentioned EU investments in the region:
“We cannot choose our neighbors, but we can choose who we do business with, and on what terms.”
Noting that the Philippines exports 90% of the country’s nickel to China, the EC president indicated that this may change. She said that, unlike other investors, the EU is also interested in helping to build new processing plants that would use green energy.
French President Emmanuel Macron has just finished his visit to the region, and he has promised to defend the independence and sovereignty of all countries in the region. US officials have also expanded cooperation with Manila.
Von der Leyen announced the resumption of negotiations between the EU and the Philippines on a free trade agreement. They stopped in 2017.
Read also: Italy looks for ways to withdraw from the Belt and Road Initiative