December 3, 2024

Geng Shuang, China’s deputy permanent representative to the UN, submitted Chinese government’s statement on the baselines of territorial waters of Huangyan Dao and related nautical charts to the UN on Monday local time. The statement and the nautical charts will be published on the UN websites.

The Chinese government delineated and published the baselines of territorial waters of Huangyan Dao in accordance with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and other international laws, as well as the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Territorial Sea and the Contiguous Zone. This is a normal measure taken by the Chinese government to strengthen maritime management in accordance with the law, and it aligns with international law and practices.

According to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, coastal states are required to deposit a copy of their territorial sea baseline charts or geographical coordinate lists with the secretary-general of the UN. This submission is not only an international practice for China as a contracting party to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, but also a legitimate action to defend its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.

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