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Title:
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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying's Regular Press Conference on September 8, 2016
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Author:
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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying
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Source:
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Embassy of PRC in the Islamic Republic of Iran
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Date:
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September 8, 2016
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Description:
- Q: The China-ASEAN leaders' meeting on September 7 adopted the guidelines on hot-line communication among senior diplomatic officials from China and ASEAN countries to address maritime emergencies and a joint statement on the application of the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea in the South China Sea. How do you evaluate these two documents?
- A: The South China Sea is a bridge connecting China and ASEAN countries. Thanks to concerted efforts, the situation in the South China Sea is progressing in a positive direction. Regional countries are working to bring the South China Sea issue back to the right track of dialogue and consultation in a forward-looking spirit.. The joint statement on this meeting reaffirmed all parties' commitment to fully and effectively implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC). The meeting adopted the guidelines on hot-line communication among senior diplomatic officials from China and ASEAN countries to address maritime emergencies and a joint statement on the application of the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea in the South China Sea. These are all important achievements within the framework of implementing the DOC, fully reflecting the determination and confidence of all parties to manage and controll disputes with regional rules, deepen practical maritime cooperation, and cool down the South China Sea situation. Such agreements undoubtedly will boost mutual trust, decrease risks on the sea, manage and control the South China Sea situation and preserve peace and stability of the region. China stands ready to work with ASEAN countries under regional regimes represented by the DOC, properly handle disputes, enhance mutual trust, steer clear of disruptions and jointly maintain peace and stability of the South China Sea.
- Q: US President Obama said at the US-ASEAN Summit that the Hague ruling on the South China Sea arbitration was binding, and he also hoped that more diplomatic efforts could be made to resolve this issue peacefully. What is your comment on his remarks?
- A: During the foreign ministers' meeting on East Asia cooperation previously held in Laos, the US made it clear that it took no stance and chose no sides regarding the result of the South China Sea arbitration case, and it encouraged parties directly concerned to talk to each other. As for President Obama's remarks, I learnt about them from media reports. We still need to check what he really said. I believe our position on the so-called South China Sea arbitration case is clear to you all. China will not accept nor acknowledge the ruling, because the ruling by the so-called ad hoc arbitral tribunal infringed upon China's legitimate rights and interests, challenged the norms of international law that uphold sovereignty and territory integrity, sabotaged the sanctity and integrity of the legal system of international maritime laws, and trampled regional rules based on the DOC. This tribunal, whose establishment has no legal basis, also has no jurisdiction over this case. Its ruling can in no way have any binding force. For anyone, including the US side, one basic fact that must be made clear is that regarding issues of territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, China will never accept any third-party settlement adopted without China's consent or any solution shoved under its nose. China will be resolute in safeguarding its territorial sovereignty and maritime interests in the South China Sea. We will continue to engage parties directly concerned in direct dialogues and consultations to peacefully resolve disputes, and work with ASEAN countries to maintain peace and stability of the South China Sea. We also hope that the US can be objective and unbiased and genuinely play a constructive and responsible role in maintaining peace and stability of the South China Sea region.
