[200716.EN.BIZ] EU Insists China Respect Hague Court's Rejection of its South China Sea

THE European Union has insisted China uphold international law in reaction to the rejection of its claim over the South China Sea by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague.

In the statement of all 28 EU governments, the bloc acknowledged the court ruling, saying it was "committed to maintaining a legal order of the seas and oceans."

The EU said it supported a "swift conclusion" on talks for a so-called code of conduct for the South China Sea, a vital waterway through which US$5 trillion of trade passes a year, Reuters reported.

The United States and Japan responded by urging China to respect the court's decision. China has refused to recognise it.

In the case brought by the Philippines, the court ruled on that Beijing's claim to 85 per cent of the sea violated Manila's economic and sovereign rights under the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Source : HKSG.