December 5, 2023

China respects all countries' freedom of navigation in the South China Sea in accordance with international law, but firmly opposes any country using this as a pretext to undermine China's sovereignty and security interests, Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, said at a plenary meeting of the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly, on Tuesday, replying to several other countries' representatives' incorrect remarks on the South China Sea issues.

Geng said that China's territorial sovereignty, maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea have long been formed in the course of a long history, which is in line with international law. 

The so-called South China Sea arbitration was unilaterally initiated by the Philippines, and the arbitral tribunal exceeded its jurisdiction and issued an unjust ruling. China doesn't accept or participate in the arbitration, nor does it accept or recognize the so-called award, as well as any claims and actions based on it, Geng said. Negotiation and consultation are the realistic and effective ways to deal with the South China Sea issue, Geng said.

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