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Chinese Foreign Minister Solemnly Explains Position on South China Sea Issue – World

Chinese Foreign Minister Solemnly Explains Position on South China Sea Issue – World

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi attends the 25th ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Minister Meeting during the 57th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting at the National Convention Center in Vientiane, Laos, July 27, 2024. (Photo/Agencies)

VIENTIANE — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday elaborated on China’s solemn stance on the South China Sea issue during a series of foreign ministerial meetings of Southeast and East Asian countries in Vientiane, Laos.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, said there is full historical and legal basis for China to uphold its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea.

In order to safeguard neighborliness and regional cooperation, China has signed the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) with ASEAN countries and has consistently and effectively implemented it, Wang said, adding that China insists that differences should be properly managed through dialogue and consultation with the parties concerned.

Wang said that China and ASEAN countries will continue negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, actively carry out maritime practical cooperation, and jointly safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea. Countries in the region have full confidence, wisdom and ability to address the issue of the South China Sea.

In response to the repeated calls by some countries to launch the so-called arbitration in the South China Sea, Wang pointed out that the arbitration court had exercised its jurisdiction ultra vires and made an unlawful award, that there were significant legal and factual shortcomings, and that the arbitration court was politically motivated.

The ruling itself was a serious violation of international law, especially the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Wang said, calling it illegal and invalid. He stressed that China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea will not be affected by this illegal ruling under any circumstances.

Wang said that Ren’ai Jiao is China’s inherent territory. The Philippines unilaterally changed the status quo by illegally grounding its warship at Ren’ai Jiao, and even tried to make it a permanent outpost, which was a serious violation of Article 5 of the DOC and broke its commitments to the Chinese side.

For humanitarian reasons, China has reached a provisional arrangement with the Philippines on the management of the situation. The arrangement allows the delivery of necessities after on-site verification and monitoring of the process, Wang said.

Wang called on the Philippines to fulfill its obligations, not break its promises and not cause further trouble.

Wang said the South China Sea is one of the safest and freest sea routes in the world and there is no reason to worry about freedom of navigation and overflight.

According to Wang, some countries caused unrest and disturbances and even tried to deploy a medium-range missile system in the region. This led to confrontations, which is the biggest disruptive factor to peace in the South China Sea.