The EU urged China and the Philippines to settle peacefully their row over the South China Sea following an international tribunal's ruling against Beijing's claims but said it did not take a position on sovereignty rows.

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said in a statement that the bloc's member states "acknowledge" the ruling.

She added that the union "expresses the need for the parties to the dispute to resolve it through peaceful means, to clarify their claims and pursue them in respect and in accordance with international law."