China Summons European Diplomats Over South China Sea Statement

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China summoned diplomats from the European Union and several European nations on July 14, 2026. The move followed a July 12 joint statement issued by the United States, the Philippines, and European countries including Germany, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Romania, which asserted that China's maritime claims in the South China Sea lack a legal basis.

China rejected the 10th-anniversary statement regarding the South China Sea arbitration award, characterizing the original ruling as an illegal political stunt designed by Western countries to suppress China. Chinese officials argued that European nations are not parties to the dispute and lack the right to comment on China's territorial sovereignty.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian warned that continued endorsement of the ruling could harm China-Europe relations and cooperation. He urged European governments to exercise caution in their words and actions regarding the maritime dispute.