China scolds EU over statement about South China Sea

2 months ago 13

China has rebuked the European Union over a statement about the South China Sea, saying the latter ignored historical and objective facts of the testy issue and “blatantly endorses” what it called the Philippines’ violation of its sovereignty.

On Thursday (11 July), the EU issued a statement to mark the anniversary of arbitration regarding sovereignty in the region which ruled in the Philippines’ favour and which was rejected by China.

“This award represents a significant milestone in the peaceful resolution of disputes in the South China Sea. […] The EU views the 2016 Arbitral Award as legally binding upon the parties to the proceedings, including the important finding that the Second Thomas Shoal is within the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf of the Philippines,” the statement reads.

The Chinese mission to the European Union said in a counter-statement that it is strongly dissatisfied, calling the EU statement “extremely irresponsible”.

“The EU is not a party to the South China Sea issue. The EU’s statement, disregarding the history and facts of the South China Sea issue, openly endorses the Philippines’ infringement on China’s sovereignty. This is not conducive to regional peace and stability, and is extremely irresponsible. China expresses strong dissatisfaction with and firm opposition to this and has lodged solemn representations with the EU”, the spokesperson of the China mission to the EU stated.

The EU should be clear about facts, be objective and fair, and respect the rights and interests of China side as well as the efforts made by regional countries for peace and stability, China said.

Reaction to NATO summit

China will never accept the “unfounded accusations” made against it at the NATO summit this week in Washington, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said to his Dutch counterpart over a phone call, his ministry said.

Wang said China is willing to maintain contact with NATO on “an equal footing” and conduct exchanges on the basis of mutual respect, asking the military alliance to neither interfere with its internal affairs nor challenge its interests.

He said that China and NATO countries have different political systems and values, but this should not be a reason for NATO to “instigate confrontation with China”.

“The right way is to strengthen dialogue, enhance understanding, build basic mutual trust and avoid strategic miscalculation,” Wang said in the Thursday phone call.

China on Thursday criticised the NATO summit declaration that described it as a “decisive enabler” of Russia’s war effort in Ukraine as biased and “sowing discord”.

The foreign ministry spokesperson said NATO’s “hyping up” of China’s responsibility towards the Ukraine crisis “comes with malicious intent”.

About relations with the Netherlands, Wang said China is willing to establish close ties with the new Dutch government and carry out all-round dialogue.

He added that China believed the Netherlands will encourage the European Union to look at China objectively and rationally, and play a constructive role in maintaining healthy and stable development of China-EU relations.

The NATO summit said Beijing continues to pose systemic challenges to Europe and to security.

The European Union last week confirmed it would impose tariffs of up to 37.6% on imports of electric vehicles made in China, a move that ratcheted up trade tension with Beijing.

Additionally, the European Commission has reportedly also begun canvassing the region’s semiconductor industry for its views on China’s expanded production of older generation computer chips.