Beijing: The European Union must stop sowing discord

Brussels-Sana

A spokesman for the Chinese mission to the European Union called today to maintain stability in the South China Sea, stop sowing discord, and respect the efforts of regional countries to properly handle disputes.

Xinhua quoted the spokesman as saying in response to a statement issued by the European Union’s diplomatic service claiming that tensions in the region, including the presence of large Chinese ships in Weston Reef, endanger peace and stability: “The South China Sea should not become a tool for certain countries to suppress China and making it a wrestling arena for the competition of major powers, ”noting that“ factors of instability in addition to security risks in the South China Sea come mainly from outside the region. ”

And the spokesman indicated that "part of the Chinese Nansha Islands and the coral reefs and adjacent waters have always been operating areas and important shelters for Chinese fishing boats, and this is a legitimate matter," pointing out that "China's sovereignty, rights and interests in the South China Sea have been formed in a long path throughout history and are consistent with international law “.

Commenting on the European Union’s strategy for cooperation in the Indian and Pacific Oceans proposed by the European Union last Monday, the spokesman explained that “the current situation in the South China Sea is generally stable,” noting that “China maintains close contacts on related issues with countries in the region, including the Philippines. And that countries in the region and beyond have clearly seen that the destabilizing factors and security risks in the South China Sea come mainly from outside the region.