On July 12, 2025, the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines released a statement in response to remarks made by US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson at a forum hosted by the Philippine think tank Stratbase. The US Ambassador, along with diplomats from the UK, Canada, Germany, and Japan, had expressed the view that the 2016 South China Sea arbitration ruling was final and binding, and criticized China's stance in the region.
The Chinese Embassy spokesperson reiterated China's consistent position on the South China Sea arbitration case, describing it as a political farce. The spokesperson stated that the Philippines had violated agreements with China to resolve disputes through bilateral consultations and negotiations, as well as the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. They also accused the Philippines of abusing the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) dispute settlement mechanism.
The spokesperson emphasized that the arbitration tribunal had exceeded its jurisdiction and issued an illegitimate ruling, which China does not accept or recognize. China's sovereignty and rights in the South China Sea are based on historical practices and are not affected by any illegal arbitration rulings. The US Ambassador and other diplomats were accused of distorting reality and attempting to pressure China into accepting the ruling.
The spokesperson stated that such actions are destined to fail, and China firmly opposes them. They further claimed that the initiation of the "arbitral tribunal" and subsequent hype were orchestrated by external countries to disrupt the South China Sea for their own benefit. China's position is to uphold international law and maintain the authority of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. China is working with ASEAN countries to maintain stability in the South China Sea and is accelerating consultations on the "Code of Conduct in the South China Sea." Any attempts to stir up trouble and sow discord will ultimately fail.
5 Comments
Africa
China needs to listen and work with the international community. Isolation will only hurt them.
Bella Ciao
China is trying to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea through cooperation with ASEAN.
Africa
The so-called 'international law' is often manipulated for geopolitical purposes. China is correct to see through this.
Mariposa
The historical claims argument is getting old. It's time China respects the rights of smaller nations in the South China Sea.
Muchacha
The US is hypocritical. They never respect international law unless it benefits them first.