China News Service, Beijing, July 14 (Reporter Liang Xiaohui) Regarding the so-called statement by US Secretary of State Pompeo involving the South China Sea recently, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said at a regular press conference on the 14th that he is strongly dissatisfied with the wrong actions of the US 3. Resolutely oppose, urging the US to stop creating troubles on the South China Sea issue and not to go further and further on the wrong path.

  A reporter asked a question. On July 13, local time, Pompeo issued a statement saying that many of China's claims in the South China Sea have no basis in international law. The US urges relevant countries to oppose China's claims on maritime rights. The South China Sea arbitration award is legally binding on China and the Philippines. What is China's comment?

  Zhao Lijian responded that the US statement disregarded the historical latitude and longitude and objective facts of the South China Sea issue, violated the U.S. government’s open commitment to the South China Sea’s sovereignty, violated and distorted international law, deliberately provoked territorial maritime disputes, and undermined regional peace and stability. Responsible approach.

  He pointed out that the US stated in its statement that China only officially announced the South China Sea intermittent line in 2009, which is completely untrue. China's sovereignty and rights and interests in the South China Sea were formed during a long history. China has exercised effective jurisdiction over relevant islands, reefs and related sea areas in the South China Sea for thousands of years. As early as 1948, the Chinese government officially announced the South China Sea intermittent line, which has not been questioned by any country for a long time. China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea have sufficient historical and legal basis and are in accordance with relevant international law and international practice.

  Zhao Lijian emphasized that China never seeks to establish an "ocean empire" in the South China Sea, always treats countries surrounding the South China Sea as equals, and always maintains the utmost restraint in safeguarding the sovereignty and rights and interests of the South China Sea. On the contrary, the United States refused to join the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, frequently "withdrew the group and broke the contract" internationally, and abandoned it if it was not in accordance with international law. It frequently dispatched large-scale advanced warships and military aircraft to militarize the South China Sea and promoted power logic. Hegemonic practices are the destructors and troublemakers of peace and stability in the region, and the international community sees them very clearly.

  "China's position on the South China Sea arbitration case and its so-called awards is consistent, clear and firm." Zhao Lijian emphasized that the arbitral tribunal violated the principle of "State Consent" and went beyond the authority for trial. There are obvious errors in the determination of facts and the application of the law. Many All countries questioned. The US side’s use of speculation in arbitration to serve its own political purpose is an abuse of international maritime law, and China will never accept it.

  Zhao Lijian said that according to the "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea" reached by China and ASEAN countries in 2002, China has always been committed to resolving disputes related to territories and jurisdictions through negotiations and negotiations with directly related sovereign states, and is committed to jointly safeguarding peace in the South China Sea with ASEAN countries. stable. At present, with the joint efforts of China and ASEAN countries, the situation in the South China Sea is generally stable. China and ASEAN countries not only abide by the "Declaration on the Conduct of All Parties in the South China Sea", they are also stepping up discussions on the more binding "Code of Conduct in the South China Sea" to jointly safeguard peace and stability and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, and relevant consultations have made positive progress. The relationship between China and ASEAN countries has been further consolidated and developed in the cooperation in epidemic prevention.

  "As a foreign country, the United States, out of its own self-interest, fears that the South China Sea will not be chaotic. We will do everything we can to provoke right and wrong in the South China Sea. We will make troubles in the South China Sea. The statement also deliberately distorted the Chinese representative who attended the 2010 ASEAN Regional Forum Foreign Ministers' Meeting. The fact is that the Chinese representative stated at the meeting that China has always advocated that all countries, big or small, are equal. The resolution of relevant disputes should be based on merits, and the direct parties should settle peacefully through negotiation and consultation. The US's attempt to provoke alienation will never succeed.

  "We express strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition to the wrong actions of the US side, and urge the US side to stop creating troubles on the South China Sea issue and not to go further and further on the wrong path. China will continue to firmly maintain its sovereignty and security in accordance with the law, and firmly maintain its relations with regional countries. China’s friendly and cooperative relations firmly maintain the peace and stability of the South China Sea." Zhao Lijian said. (Finish)