Manila: The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines has criticized the European Union for what it described as interference in the South China Sea, urging the bloc to refrain from "stirring up trouble" in the contested waters. The embassy also advised the Philippines against relying on external powers to address maritime disputes with Beijing.
The remarks followed a visit to Manila by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, who expressed concern over China’s actions in the region, where its expansive maritime claims overlap with those of several Southeast Asian nations.
In a statement published Thursday on its official website, the embassy called on the EU to “truly respect China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights” and insisted that the bloc has “no right to interfere” in the South China Sea issue.
The embassy spokesperson further suggested that the Philippines should return to direct dialogue with China, warning Manila against “harboring illusions” about foreign support resolving the maritime tensions.
Earlier this week, Kallas met with Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo, after which both sides issued a joint statement condemning China’s “illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive actions” against Philippine ships and aircraft operating within the country’s maritime domain.
China claims nearly the entire South China Sea, a strategic waterway that overlaps with the exclusive economic zones of the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia.
The Philippine Embassy in Beijing has yet to comment on the Chinese statement.
