Why Is the European Union Talking About the West Philippine Sea?

Article by F. Palafox

Published on July 21, 2026 07:00AM

MANILA — The European Union has escalated its criticism of China, accusing Beijing, alongside Moscow, of trying to reshape the global order and revive a spheres-of-influence model, in language that underscores growing Western alignment on security concerns from Ukraine to the Indo-Pacific. Reuters reported that the EU’s new strategic paper describes China as a “key enabler” of Russia’s war in Ukraine and flags Beijing’s increasingly assertive behavior in the South China Sea as a security concern with wider global effects. ¹ ²

For the Philippines, the timing is notable. Reuters reported days earlier that 14 countries, including the Philippines, the United States, Japan and several European states, reaffirmed that China’s expansive maritime claims have no legal basis, while Manila continues to emphasize the 2016 ruling as a legal milestone for the West Philippine Sea. ¹ ⁴

Europe’s harder line

The EU paper, adopted quietly by foreign ministers, marks a sharper turn in Brussels’ language toward China. ⁵ ⁶ It says China’s support for Russia is a “crucial enabler” of Moscow’s aggression and warns that Beijing’s economic leverage and military ambitions are a long-term strategic challenge for Europe. ⁵

That message matters beyond Europe because the paper also links China’s conduct in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait to broader Indo-Pacific stability. In plain terms, Brussels is no longer treating China mainly as a trade partner; it is increasingly describing it as a security actor whose choices can affect the wider international order. ⁶

On Manila's perspective

The Philippines has long argued that Beijing’s maritime claims around Palawan, Bajo de Masinloc, and other Philippine waters must be judged under international law, not power politics. BBC reported in 2016 that the tribunal backed Manila’s case against China and found no legal basis for China’s sweeping claims under UNCLOS. ³

The anniversary of that ruling is still carrying diplomatic weight, with the Philippines and 13 other countries reaffirming that there is no legal basis for China’s expansive claims in the West Philippine Sea. The same report said the signatories urged compliance with the arbitral award and peaceful settlement through lawful means. ⁴

China’s wider challenge

Beijing’s response has been to reject the ruling and argue that outside powers should not comment on the South China Sea. Reuters reported on July 14 that China told Europe to stop backing the “illegal ruling” and warned against harming ties. ⁷

But that defense sits uneasily beside the EU’s own assessment that China is a central strategic challenge and a key supporter of Russia’s war effort. The bloc sees China’s behavior as part of a broader pattern of coercion and geopolitical leverage. ⁷

For Manila, the strategic value of the West Philippine Sea ruling is not just legal symbolism. It is a reminder that even as China tries to reframe the issue as a matter of sovereignty, more governments are increasingly treating Beijing’s actions as a test of the rules-based order. ⁴

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Notes:

¹ Reuters. South China Sea joint statement says China's maritime claims have no basis. https://www.reuters.com/world/china/south-china-sea-joint-statement-says-chinas-maritime-claims-have-no-basis-2026-07-12

² US News. South China Sea Joint Statement Says China's Maritime Claims Have No Basis. https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2026-07-12/south-china-sea-joint-statement-says-chinas-maritime-claims-have-no-basis

³ BBC News. South China Sea: Tribunal backs case against China brought by Philippines. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-36771749

⁴ Manila Bulletin. 14 nations reaffirm 2016 arbitral ruling, reject China's expansive South China Sea claims. https://mb.com.ph/2026/07/12/14-nations-reaffirm-2016-arbitral-ruling-reject-chinas-expansive-south-china-sea-claims

⁵ Reuters. Russia approved secret China military training at top level, sources say. https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/russia-approved-secret-china-military-training-top-level-sources-say-2026-07-01

⁶ Euro News. China is 'a critical long-term strategic challenge', EU ministers say. https://www.euronews.com/2026/07/16/china-is-a-critical-long-term-strategic-challenge-eu-ministers-say

⁷ Reuters. China Urges Europe to stop backing 'illegal' South China Sea ruling to avoid harming ties. https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-urges-europe-stop-backing-illegal-south-china-sea-ruling-avoid-harming-2026-07-14