China to EU: Stop backing South China Sea ruling or risk damaged ties

The comments came after a joint statement issued on Sunday by countries including some European nations said China's expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea have no legal basis, followed by a relevant statement from the EU.

China has also summoned officials of the embassies of relevant countries in China and the EU delegation to China and lodged serious representations with them, Lin said.

(Reporting by Xiuhao Chen and Liz Lee; Editing by Christopher Cushing)