BRUSSELS, 25 April, 2021 (TON): On Saturday the European Union blamed China for endangering peace in the South China Sea and urged all parties to abide by a 2016 tribunal ruling which rejected most of China’s claim to sovereignty in the sea, but which Beijing has rejected. 

A new policy aimed at stepping up its influence in the Indo-Pacific region to counter China’s rising power was released by EU in last week.  

The Philippines on Friday protested to China over its failure to withdraw what it called as “threatening” boats believed to be manned by maritime militia around the disputed Whitsun Reef, which Manila calls the Julian Felipe Reef. 

In a statement by EU spokesperson on Saturday said, "Tensions in the South China Sea, including the recent presence of large Chinese vessels at Whitsun Reef, endanger peace and stability in the region." 

EU reiterated its strong opposition to "unilateral actions that could undermine regional stability and international rules-based order". 

It urged all parties to resolve disputes peacefully in accordance with international law, and highlighted a 2016 international arbitration that had ruled in favor of the Philippines while invalidating most of China's claims in the South China Sea. 

China rejected EU's accusation that its ships at Whitsun Reef, which China calls Niu'E Jiao, had endangered peace and security. 

The Chinese Mission to the EU in a statement on Saturday insisted that China's sovereignty, rights and interests in the South China Sea were formed in the "long course of history and consistent with international law" and rejected the 2016 tribunal ruling as "null and void". 

"The South China Sea should not become a tool for certain countries to contain and suppress China, much less a wrestling ground for major-power rivalry," the Chinese statement said. 

China increased its military activity in the South China Sea by conducting a series of naval maneuvers and exercises. China continues to construct military and industrial outposts on artificial islands it has built in disputed waters. 

The South China Sea disputes involve both island and maritime claims by several sovereign states within the region, namely Brunei, the People's Republic of China (PRC), Taiwan (Republic of China/ROC), Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.