France, Germany, UK reject China's South China Sea claims at UN

France, Germany, and the United Kingdom have jointly informed the United Nations that China's claims of "historic rights" in the South China Sea are unlawful and violate the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

In a joint note verbale submitted to the UN, the three European nations referenced the 2016 arbitral ruling that favored the Philippines' claims under UNCLOS.

The note explicitly stated that claims based on "historic rights" over South China Sea waters are not in compliance with international law and UNCLOS provisions.

The European countries emphasized the significance of upholding the freedom of the high seas, including freedom of navigation and overflight, as well as the right of innocent passage within the South China Sea.

The note verbale requested circulation to all UNCLOS States Parties and UN Member States, underscoring the lack of legal basis for continental states to consider archipelagos or marine features as a single entity without adhering to UNCLOS Part II.

The joint statement by the UK, France, and Germany reaffirms the principles of international maritime law and the established arbitral award concerning the South China Sea disputes.