On July 14, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Lin Jian presided over a regular press conference. A reporter asked: On July 12, some European countries, the United States, the Philippines and other countries issued a so-called 10-year joint statement “commemorating the South China Sea Arbitration Ruling”, and the European Union also issued a related statement. Can you tell me about the situation? What are your comments on this? Lin Jian said that a few days ago, several European countries participated in the so-called “Commemorating the South China Sea Arbitration Ruling” 10-year joint statement, and the European Union also issued related statements to distort facts and maliciously discredit them. China is strongly dissatisfied and resolutely opposed to this. The head of the European Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has separately interviewed the heads of the relevant country's embassies in China and the EU delegation to China and made serious negotiations. China's position on the “South China Sea Arbitration Case” is clear, consistent, and firm. The so-called “arbitral tribunal” is a temporary patchwork for political purposes. It itself has no authority or impartiality. The “arbitration” in question violates the basic principles of international law. Only a few US and Western countries are showing off for the political purpose of suppressing China. China does not accept or recognize this “ruling,” and opposes and does not accept any claims or actions based on this “ruling.” We urge the European side to be careful in its words and actions and stop endorsing illegal “rulings” so as not to affect Sino-European relations and cooperation.

On July 14, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Lin Jian presided over a regular press conference. A reporter asked: On July 12, some European countries, the United States, the Philippines and other countries issued a so-called 10-year joint statement “commemorating the South China Sea Arbitration Ruling”, and the European Union also issued a related statement. Can you tell me about the situation? What are your comments on this? Lin Jian said that a few days ago, several European countries participated in the so-called “Commemorating the South China Sea Arbitration Ruling” 10-year joint statement, and the European Union also issued related statements to distort facts and maliciously discredit them. China is strongly dissatisfied and resolutely opposed to this. The head of the European Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has separately interviewed the heads of the relevant country's embassies in China and the EU delegation to China and made serious negotiations. China's position on the “South China Sea Arbitration Case” is clear, consistent, and firm. The so-called “arbitral tribunal” is a temporary patchwork for political purposes. It itself has no authority or impartiality. The “arbitration” in question violates the basic principles of international law. Only a few US and Western countries are showing off for the political purpose of suppressing China. China does not accept or recognize this “ruling,” and opposes and does not accept any claims or actions based on this “ruling.” We urge the European side to be careful in its words and actions and stop endorsing illegal “rulings” so as not to affect Sino-European relations and cooperation.