The European Union on 11 July 2026 reaffirmed its support for the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea, calling it a landmark decision that must be respected and fully implemented by the parties involved. In a statement issued by High Representative Josep Borrell on behalf of the EU, the bloc expressed deep concern over rising tensions and dangerous incidents in the region, and firmly opposed any unilateral actions that threaten regional stability and the international order based on international law.
The statement marks the tenth anniversary of the award issued by the Arbitral Tribunal under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) concerning the dispute between the Philippines and China. The EU reiterated its unwavering commitment to UNCLOS as the universal legal framework for all ocean activities, underlining the critical importance of upholding freedoms of navigation and overflight, including transit passage, for regional and global security.
The EU also reiterated its support for ongoing efforts by ASEAN and China to conclude an effective, substantive, and legally binding Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, in line with UNCLOS. The bloc stressed that all tensions and disputes must be resolved through dialogue and peaceful means, with the UN Charter and UNCLOS at the core.
The statement, published by the Council of the EU, comes amid a steady increase in incidents in the South China Sea, including confrontations between coast guards and military vessels. The EU's position aligns with its broader Indo-Pacific strategy, which emphasizes maritime security and adherence to international law. The bloc has no prior coverage on this specific anniversary in the last 180 days, but has consistently supported the 2016 ruling and called for restraint in the region.