Q: On November 21, the EEAS Spokesperson issued a statement, accusing China of “blocking” two Philippine supply ships in the South China Sea last week on their way to Second Thomas Shoal. What is your comment?

A: Regarding the incident mentioned by the EU side, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson has recently made a clear response. On the evening of November 16, two Philippine supply boats trespassed into waters near Ren’ai Jiao of China’s Nansha Qundao without China’s consent. Chinese coast guard vessels performed official duties in accordance with law and upheld China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime order. At present, the sea area of Ren’ai Jiao is generally tranquil. China and the Philippines are in communication on this.

China has repeatedly reiterated that China’s sovereignty and rights and interests in the South China Sea have been established over a long period of time in accordance with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The arbitration case in the South China Sea violates the basic principle of “national consent”, exceeds the authority of the court, and has obvious problems in the determination of facts and the application of law. The so-called arbitration is null and void and has no binding effect, and China does not accept or recognize it.

In recent years, with the joint efforts of China and ASEAN countries, the situation in the South China Sea has remained generally stable and the freedom of navigation and overflight has been protected by law. The involvement of extra-territorial countries, on the other hand, is the biggest threat to the peace and stability of the South China Sea. The EU’s statement, which does not tell right from wrong, will have a negative impact on the maintenance of regional peace and stability. China firmly opposes this and urges the EU side to respect the efforts of regional countries to properly manage their differences and maintain stability in the South China Sea.