The European Union's External Action Service (EEAS) went so far as to issue a statement on the South China Sea, accusing China's activities near Oxbow Reef of endangering regional peace and stability, and referring to the 2016 South China Sea arbitration. What does this mean?Does the EU want to stir up trouble in the South China Sea, or does it want to follow the US ass behind to contain and suppress China?The Chinese mission to the EU immediately issued a strong response, exposing the hypocrisy and double standards of the EU and safeguarding China's sovereignty and interests. What's going on in this EU-China dispute?What is the background and purpose of the EU's statement?What is the significance and impact of China's response?Let's take a look.
What is the EU's statement?
Recently, a spokesperson for the European Union's External Action Service issued a statement on the South China Sea, saying that the recent tensions in the South China Sea and the activities of large Chinese ships near Oxbow Reef have endangered peace and stability in the region. The EU also asserted its commitment to maintaining open and free sea lanes in the Indo-Pacific in accordance with international law and opposed any unilateral actions that undermine regional stability and international order, referring to the 2016 South China Sea arbitration.
As soon as this statement came out, it immediately aroused strong dissatisfaction and opposition from China. In response to a reporter's question, the spokesperson of the Chinese Mission to the EU pointed out that the EU's statement is full of errors and biases, and is completely inconsistent with facts and international law.
What is China's response?
The spokesperson of the mission said that the current situation in the South China Sea is generally stable, and China has maintained close communication with regional countries, including the Philippines, on relevant issues. In recent years, regional countries and the international community have clearly seen that the destabilizing factors and security risks faced by the South China Sea mainly come from outside the region. The South China Sea should not become a tool for individual countries to contain and suppress China, let alone a wrestling ground for great power competition.
The spokesperson for the mission also pointed out that the 2016 South China Sea arbitration case mentioned by the EU is an illegal political farce, and China has long made it clear that it will not accept, recognize, participate in or implement it. China's sovereignty, rights and interests in the South China Sea have a full historical and legal basis, and are not subject to any third party's questioning or interference. China has always been committed to properly handling relevant disputes and maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea through friendly consultations and negotiations with countries in the region.
In conclusion, the spokesperson stressed that China urges the EU to respect the efforts of regional countries to properly handle differences and maintain stability in the South China Sea, stop playing right and wrong and sowing discord, and do more things that are conducive to mutual trust and cooperation between China and the EU, rather than the opposite.
What's behind this dispute?
The EU's statement on the South China Sea is not a whim, but has a deep background and purpose. On the one hand, the EU has been under the influence and pressure of the United States, and has followed the United States in attacking China on the South China Sea issue. As an ally of the United States, the EU also wants to show a certain presence and influence on the South China Sea issue, align itself with the United States, and exert pressure on China.
On the other hand, the EU also has its own interests and considerations, and has made a challenge to China on the South China Sea issue. The EU is an economic entity with significant dependence and demand for maritime ** and resources in the South China Sea. The EU wants to maintain its own interests and voice in the South China Sea, and does not want to see China's dominance and influence in the South China Sea. The EU also wants to use this to show its values and rules to China, and try to interfere in China's internal affairs and sovereignty and weaken China's international image and status under the guise of international law.
What does this dispute mean?
The EU issued a statement on the South China Sea, and the Chinese mission to the EU refuted that the dispute not only reflects the differences and confrontation between the EU and China on the South China Sea issue, but also affects the cooperation and relations between the EU and China in other fields. Europe and China are the two major global powers, and their relationship has an important impact on world peace and development. Based on the principles of mutual respect and win-win cooperation, the EU and China should properly handle differences, enhance mutual trust and promote the healthy development of bilateral relations, instead of blaming each other and escalating confrontation, undermining the interests and trust of both sides and undermining the prospects of bilateral relations.
The dispute between Europe and China over the South China Sea has also sounded the alarm for regional countries and the international community. The South China Sea is an important international waters, which is related to regional peace and stability, as well as global security and security. The South China Sea should not become a tool for individual countries to contain China, let alone a wrestling ground for great power competition.
Regional countries and the international community should support China and ASEAN countries in properly resolving disputes in the South China Sea through dialogue and consultation, maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea, opposing any interference and undermining in the South China Sea, upholding international law and order, and jointly building an open, inclusive and cooperative community.