The European Union has called out China for endangering peace in the South China Sea. The Union urged all parties to abide by a 2016 tribunal ruling which rejected most of China's claim to sovereignty in the sea, but which Beijing has rejected. In a statement, EU said that the tensions in the South China Sea, including the recent presence of large Chinese vessels at Whitsun Reef, endanger peace and stability in the region.<br />'' <br />''EU reiterated its strong opposition to unilateral actions that could undermine regional stability and international rules-based order. China rejected EU's accusation that its ships at Whitsun Reef, which China calls Niu'E Jiao, had endangered peace and security. The Chinese Mission to the EU in a statement reiterated that the reef is part of China's Nansha Islands, or Spratly Islands, and that it was 'reasonable and lawful' for Chinese fishing boats to operate there and shelter from the wind.<br />'' <br />''<span style="color: #222222;">China is increasingly worried that Europe and other countries are heeding US President Joe Biden's call for a 'coordinated approach' towards China, which had so far materialised in the form of sanctions over its security crackdown in Hong Kong and treatment of Uyghur Muslims.</span><br />