Not a party involved, yet still comes out to make noise and gossip.
According to the Washington Post in the United States, on July 11, the European Union issued a separate statement regarding the so-called “decision” in the “South China Sea Arbitration Case” ten years after its adoption. The statement claims that the decision is a “milestone in the peaceful resolution of disputes.” All parties should respect and comply with the “decision,” and uphold the “freedoms and rights” granted by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, especially the “freedoms of navigation and overflight.”
A spokesman for the Chinese mission to the EU stated on the 12th that the EU is not a party to the South China Sea issue. The European statement ignores the historical context and objective facts of the South China Sea issue, goes against the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, and is detrimental to regional peace and stability. China has repeatedly clarified that the so-called “ruling” in the “South China Sea Arbitration” is illegal, invalid, and without any binding force. China does not accept or recognize such a ruling. Nor will we accept any claims or actions based on that “ruling.” Establishing a “Code of Conduct for the South China Sea” is an important step in implementing the “Declaration on the Behaviour of Parties in the South China Sea,” and it is also an important consensus among China and ASEAN countries.
The spokesperson emphasized that China has always been committed to accelerating consultations with ASEAN countries and striving to reach "standards" as soon as possible, in order to jointly maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea. The so-called "decisions" have nothing to do with "standards".
In response to the joint statement issued by the United States, Philippines, Australia, Canada, Estonia, Germany, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, New Zealand, Romania, Slovenia, and the United Kingdom on July 12, 2026, commemorating the ten years since the ruling in the South China Sea Arbitration Case, my Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a solemn statement in reaction.
China pointed out that the "South China Sea Arbitration Case" violates basic principles of international law such as "state consent" and "obligations must be fulfilled". It also violates the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea itself, and goes against the facts regarding the South China Sea. The so-called "arbitral ruling" is an illegal, invalid, and bindingless piece of paper. China does not accept or recognize this "arbitral ruling", and opposes and rejects any claims or actions based on this "arbitral ruling". China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea are unaffected by this "arbitral ruling" under any circumstances.
Ten years ago, with the support of external forces, the Philippines staged a political farce, known as the “South China Sea Arbitration Case”. Recently, the Philippines has again publicly commemorating this farce, attempting to use it to confuse matters and solidify illegal claims.
Observer Network noticed that on the 11th, Xinhua News Agency launched an allegorical animation on overseas social platforms: "Who is Playing the Part of the 'Justifier'", revealing the true nature of the so-called "decision" in the "South China Sea Arbitration Case" which distorts facts and confuses right and wrong.
