EU Mission Spokesperson Responds to Questions from Reporters Regarding EU External Action Service Spokesperson's Statement on the South China Sea

Chinese Embassy in the EU Microblog News on September 2: The spokesperson for the Chinese Mission to the EU responded to questions from reporters regarding the EU External Action Service’s statement on the South China Sea.

Question: On September 1, the EU External Action Service spokesperson issued a statement condemning Chinese coast guard ships for taking dangerous actions against Philippine vessels in the South China Sea, claiming this endangers maritime personnel safety, infringes on the freedom of navigation enjoyed by all countries under international law, and asserting adherence to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 South China Sea arbitration award, while supporting partner countries in exercising their legal rights. What is China’s comment on this?

Answer: Scarborough Shoal is part of China’s Nansha Islands and is China’s inherent territory. For some time, Philippine coast guard ships have been illegally staying within China’s Scarborough Shoal lagoon, unilaterally changing the status quo of the shoal without facilities. China has repeatedly lodged stern representations through diplomatic channels, demanding the Philippines immediately withdraw the relevant ships. However, the Philippines not only ignored these protests but also intensified their actions, with the illegally staying coast guard ships continuing to provoke and cause trouble within the lagoon, even deliberately colliding with Chinese law enforcement vessels in a dangerous manner. The facts are very clear. The spokesperson for China’s Coast Guard issued a statement immediately. China’s on-site operations are legitimate, lawful, professional, and standard, with no grounds for criticism. The responsibility for the collision lies entirely with the Philippines.

The EU is not a party to the South China Sea issue and has no right to interfere. The EU insists on ignoring facts, distorting the truth, and openly supporting the provocative actions of the Philippines in infringing on China’s sovereignty. Such actions of stirring up trouble and adding fuel to the fire are what is truly concerning. The South China Sea is one of the safest and most free navigation areas in the world, and there has never been any issue with freedom of navigation. The so-called arbitration case in the South China Sea is purely a political manipulation and farce; the award itself seriously violates international law, especially the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The EU repeatedly hyping issues of freedom of navigation and the South China Sea arbitration not only contradicts the common desire of regional countries to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea but also serves no benefit to the EU’s own interests or international credibility.

Regarding the EU’s accusations, China expresses strong dissatisfaction, firm opposition, and does not accept them. We urge the EU to face the facts, uphold objectivity and fairness, speak cautiously on the South China Sea issue, and genuinely respect China’s rights and the efforts of regional countries to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea. China will continue to take strong measures in accordance with the law to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights, and to uphold the seriousness of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.

Daily Economic News

(Editors: Wang Zhiqiang HF013)

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