China to work with other nations

PETALING JAYA: While expressing its readiness to work with the other nations in dispute over the Spratly Islands, China has reaffirmed its claim of territorial sovereignty and maritime rights over the South China Sea, particularly the disputed Spratly Islands.

The Chinese government said that it was ready to work with the five other nations, including Malaysia, to find a peaceful resolution.

“China is always firmly opposed to the invasion and illegal occupation by certain states of some islands and reefs of China’s Nansha Qundao (Spratly Islands), and activities infringing upon China’s rights and inte­rests in relevant maritime areas under China’s jurisdiction.

“China stands ready to continue to resolve the relevant disputes peacefully through negotiation and consultation with the states directly concerned on the basis of respecting historical facts and in accordance with international law,” it said in a statement released by Xinhua, the country’s official media.

The Chinese government has maintained that it has historic rights in the South China Sea.

China was absent from the entire proceedings of the tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands, since the case was brought there by the Philippines three years ago.

It had consistently maintained that it did not recognise the authority of the five-judge court and that it had no jurisdiction to conduct arbitration for the dispute.

In its statement yesterday, China said it was willing to enter practical provisional arrangements with the disputing states, including joint development in relevant maritime areas.

The Chinese government quoted a series of legal provisions that it claimed had further reaffirmed China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea.

It said that in accordance with national and international laws, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, China had internal waters, territorial sea and contiguous zone, exclusive economic zones and continental shelf, along with historic rights, to the South China Sea.

“China respects and upholds the freedom of navigation and overflight enjoyed by all states under international law in the South China Sea, and stays ready to work with other coastal states and the international community,” it added.