China Rejects EU Criticism Over South China Sea Ruling

China has rejected comments from the European Union regarding the South China Sea arbitration ruling. Beijing lodged strong protests with the heads of diplomatic missions of certain countries and the EU delegation over statements supporting the 2016 award. Chinese state media accused outside nations of hyping up the South China Sea issue and distorting definitions of the islands. The dispute centers on the tribunal ruling that rejected China's claims in the strategic waterway.