The European Union has condemned recent actions by Chinese Coast Guard vessels against lawful Philippine maritime operations near Escoda Shoal in the South China Sea on August 31.
According to EU spokesperson Nabila Massrali, these incidents, part of a series of dangerous acts over the past month, violate international law by threatening the safety of life at sea and the right to freedom of navigation.
The EU urges all parties to respect the UN Charter, the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the 2016 Arbitration Award, and calls for a de-escalation of tensions in the region.