Q：The German Foreign Minister recently visited the Philippines. The German side expressed concern about the incidents between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea, saying that China’s maritime claim in the South China Sea was not supported by an international arbitral tribunal in The Hague in 2016 and freedom of shipping routes is endangered in the South China Sea. The German side also said fierce political winds are blowing in the face of the rules-based international order in the South China Sea.What is the Embassy’s comment on this?

A: Disregarding basic facts, the German side made unwarranted accusation about China's South China Sea policy and legitimate and lawful actions. The Chinese side expresses strong dissatisfaction with and resolute opposition to relevant disinformation, misrepresentation and distortion of truth.

China’s sovereignty, rights and interests in the South China Sea have been established in the long course of history, are solidly grounded in history and the law, and are consistent with international law including the UN Charter. The dispute between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea is in essence a dispute of territorial sovereignty, which is beyond the scope of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and does not concern the interpretation or application of the UNCLOS. In 2006, pursuant to Article 298 of UNCLOS, China excluded issues relating to maritime boundary delimitation from the jurisdiction of a court or tribunal. The Arbitral Tribunal violated the principle of state consent, exercised its jurisdiction ultra vires and rendered an award in disregard of the law. Such an award is illegal, null and void, and completely invalid. China does not accept or recognize it, and will never accept any claim or action based on the award.

The recent maritime incidents between China and the Philippines were not caused by China. China has taken necessary measures to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. At the same time, we are committed to properly handling disputes with the Philippines through dialogue and consultation with the aim of jointly maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea. No non-regional country has the right to interfere in the maritime disputes between China and the Philippines.

At present, the situation in the South China Sea is generally stable. There is never any issue with freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. The headwinds encountered by peace and stability in the South China Sea are indeed the deliberate intervention of external forces intending to sow discord among regional countries. The so-called "rules-based international order" is essentially a set of “house rules” established by a few western countries to contain and suppress other countries. In the world, there is only one international system, i.e. the international system with the United Nations at its core. There is only one international order, i.e. the international order underpinned by international law. And there is only one set of rules, i.e. the basic norms governing international relations underpinned by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. China advocates equality among all countries, big or small. We call on countries around the world to work together to address challenges, resolve differences through dialogue and consultation, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.