Spokesperson of the EU Delegation to the European Union responds to questions from reporters regarding the EU External Action Service spokesperson's statement on the South China Sea.

The Chinese Mission to the European Union’s official WeChat account reported on September 2 that a spokesperson for the mission responded to a journalist’s question regarding the European External Action Service spokesperson’s statement on the South China Sea.

Q: On September 1, the spokesperson for the European External Action Service issued a statement condemning the dangerous actions of Chinese Coast Guard vessels against Philippine ships in the South China Sea, claiming that such actions jeopardize the safety of maritime personnel and infringe on the freedom of navigation enjoyed by countries under international law. They asserted their adherence to international norms such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 South China Sea arbitration ruling, and expressed support for partner countries to exercise their legitimate rights. What is China’s comment on this?

A: The Scarborough Shoal is part of China’s Nansha Islands and is inherent Chinese territory. For some time, the Philippine Coast Guard vessels have been illegally staying in the lagoon of China’s Scarborough Shoal, unilaterally changing the status of the previously uninhabited and unutilized Scarborough Shoal. China has repeatedly lodged solemn representations to the Philippine side through diplomatic channels, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the relevant vessels. Not only has the Philippine side turned a blind eye to this, but they have also escalated the situation, with the illegally stationed Coast Guard vessels continuing to provoke incidents in the lagoon of Scarborough Shoal, even intentionally colliding with Chinese Coast Guard vessels that are lawfully carrying out their rights protection duties in a dangerous manner. The facts are very clear, and a spokesperson for the Chinese Coast Guard has already made a statement at the earliest opportunity. China’s operations on-site are legitimate, lawful, professional, and standard, and there is no basis for criticism; the responsibility for the collision between vessels lies entirely with the Philippine side.

The EU is not a party to the South China Sea issue and has no right to interfere in matters concerning the South China Sea. The European side insists on ignoring the facts, reversing right and wrong, and openly endorsing the provocative actions of the Philippine side that infringe upon China’s territorial sovereignty. What is the ulterior motive behind such behavior that adds fuel to the fire and takes sides? The South China Sea is the safest and freest maritime area in the world, and there is no issue concerning freedom of navigation. The “South China Sea arbitration case” is entirely a political manipulation and a political farce, and the so-called ruling itself seriously violates international law, especially the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The European side’s repeated hype around the issue of freedom of navigation and the “South China Sea arbitration case” not only goes against the shared wish of countries in the region to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea but also does not benefit the EU’s own interests and international credibility.

In response to the European side’s accusations, China expresses strong dissatisfaction, resolute opposition, and will not accept them. We urge the European side to face the facts, uphold objectivity and fairness, exercise caution in their statements and actions regarding 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 uphold the seriousness of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.

Daily Economic News

(Edited by: Wang Zhiqiang HF013)

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