Hey everyone, here’s a quick update from the ASEAN Plus meetings! Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently laid out China's stance on the South China Sea arbitration case. He explained that the case—unilaterally initiated by the Philippines—lacked the necessary pre-consultation and didn’t meet the basic principle of state consent required for arbitration. 🧐
Wang Yi pointed out that the process violated the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, which emphasizes resolving disputes through friendly, direct talks. He also highlighted that the arbitration tried to tackle territorial issues, like those concerning the Nansha Islands, which go beyond the intended scope of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). In fact, he noted a key error: the misclassification of Taiping Island as a rock, a decision that could disrupt the existing maritime order if applied universally.
Furthermore, Wang Yi asserted that many see the arbitration and its ensuing hype as being manipulated by external forces aiming to stir unrest in the region. Despite these challenges, he stressed that joint efforts between China and ASEAN are keeping the South China Sea stable, ensuring freedom of navigation and overflight. Ongoing consultations for a new Code of Conduct in the region promise to foster even greater peace, cooperation, and friendship. 🤝
Reference(s):
Wang Yi expounds China's position on South China Sea arbitration case
cgtn.com
