China News Agency, Jakarta, July 15 (Reporter Lin Yongchuan) Chinese Ambassador to ASEAN Deng Xijun accepted the Indonesian "Jakarta Post", National Radio, and Meidu TV on the issue of the US Secretary of State's statement on the South China Sea and the progress of consultations on the "South China Sea Code of Conduct". Interview.
Deng Xijun said that on the statement of the South China Sea issued by US Secretary of State Pompeo, a spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs had responded on July 14. We believe that it is irresponsible for the U.S. statement to disregard the historical latitude and longitude and objective facts of the South China Sea issue, violate the U.S. government’s open commitment to the South China Sea’s sovereignty, violate and distort international law, deliberately provoke territorial maritime disputes, and undermine regional peace and stability. way of doing. 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 of the South China Sea. China’s position on the South China Sea arbitration and its so-called awards is consistent, clear and firm. The US side’s use of speculation in arbitration to serve its own political purpose is an abuse of international maritime law. China will never accept it, and countries in the region should remain vigilant.
Deng Xijun said that China and ASEAN countries have consistently adhered to the "dual track" approach to solving the South China Sea issue. 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 with directly related sovereign states through negotiations and consultations, and is committed to working with ASEAN countries to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea. 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 are 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. The "Guidelines" consultations proceeded in an orderly manner, and continued to make new progress, and had entered the second round of text review. The New Coronary Pneumonia epidemic has led to the suspension of the "Guidelines", but China and ASEAN countries have formed a clear consensus on the "Guidelines" at an early date. Our confidence and determination to achieve this goal are firm and will not be damaged by any outside interference. China will continue to strengthen cooperation with ASEAN countries, restart the "Guidelines" consultations as soon as possible, and actively explore new maritime cooperation methods to effectively maintain peace, stability, development and prosperity in the South China Sea. (Finish)