Thread by @cnnphilippines

THREAD: A spokesperson of the China Mission to the European Union tells EU to stop sowing discord in the South China Sea. It maintains that Niu’E Jiao Reef (Whitsun Reef/Julian Felipe Reef) belongs to China cnn.ph

Tweets by our correspondent @TristanNodalo

@TristanNodalo Chinese spokesperson to EU: Chinese fishing boats are operating there and sheltering from wind, which is reasonable and lawful. We have reiterated on various occasions that China’s sovereignty and rights and interests in the South China Sea.

@TristanNodalo Chinese spokesperson to EU: The so-called Arbitral Tribunal on the South China Sea was established on the basis of illegal acts and claims of the Philippines. It has no legitimacy and the award it issued is null and void.

@TristanNodalo Chinese spokesperson to EU: China does not accept or recognize the award, and firmly rejects any claims or actions based on the award. I want to point out that the current situation in the South China Sea is on the whole stable.

@TristanNodalo Chinese spokesperson to EU: China maintains close communication on relevant issues with countries in the region, including the Philippines

@TristanNodalo Chinese spokesperson to EU: The South China Sea should not become a tool for certain countries to contain and suppress China, still less a wrestling ground for major-power rivalry

@TristanNodalo Chinese spokesperson to EU: China urges the EU side to respect the efforts of countries in the region in properly addressing differences and maintaining stability in the South China Sea, and stop sowing discord

@TristanNodalo Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddy Locsin says that Julian Felipe Reef does not belong to China. He adds that the Philippines will never give it up.

https://twitter.com/teddyboylocsin/status/1386484355489435648?s=20