EU hits out at Beijing’s actions in South China Sea

Bloc criticises actions that threaten regional peace and stability, citing presence of Chinese fishing boats at Whitsun Reef

EU recently unveiled its Indo-Pacific strategy, and individual members are considering whether to send warships to patrol region

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Chinese vessels at the Whitsun Reef. Photo: Maxar Technologies via AP

Published: 8:00pm, 25 Apr 2021Updated: 8:00pm, 25 Apr 2021

The European Union has criticised China’s activities in the South China Sea, accusing it of threatening regional peace and stability.

On Saturday the bloc issued a statement saying it strongly opposed “unilateral actions that could undermine regional stability and the international rules-based order”.

“Tensions in the South China Sea, including the recent presence of large Chinese vessels at Whitsun Reef, endanger peace and stability in the region,” it said, referring to the presence of a large number of ships at a reef claimed by the Philippines.

The EU also referred to a 2016 ruling by an international arbitration tribunal that declared China’s claim that it had “historical rights” to the South China as invalid. Beijing refused to take part in the lawsuit or accept the decision.

The Philippines has complained about the presence of Chinese fishing boats in disputed waters. Photo: EPA-EFE

Meanwhile, the Philippines repeated its protests over the presence of Chinese boats in its exclusive economic zone.

The Philippine foreign ministry said their maritime officials had observed the “continued unauthorised presence and activities” of Chinese fishing and militia vessels around the disputed Spratly Islands and Scarborough Shoal.