Manila, July 15 -- Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commodore Jay Tarriela on Wednesday criticized China's recent statement over the 2016 Arbitral Award on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) for being a threat to European countries instead of a legal argument.

"China's statement is remarkable not for what it denies, but for what it demands: that sovereign European nations stop respecting international law - or risk their relations with Beijing," said Tarriela, who is also the Coast Guard's spokesperson on the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

The statement was in response to a press briefing by China Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian, who warned European countries and the European Union for voicing support for the 2016 Arbitral ruling during its ...