China Pushes for Peaceful Resolution in South China Sea

During remarks in Kuala Lumpur at the 15th East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers' Meeting, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized China's commitment to accelerating consultations with ASEAN countries to quickly conclude a Code of Conduct regarding the South China Sea. He highlighted the importance of fostering a new narrative centered on peace, friendship, and collaboration in the region. Wang asserted that any efforts to create conflict or discord would ultimately be unsuccessful.

Wang also rebuffed the Philippines' arbitration case, which he claimed did not follow necessary consultation protocols. He argued that this move violated bilateral agreements with China and international legal principles, as disputes should be resolved through friendly negotiations among the directly involved parties. Furthermore, he noted that territorial matters lie outside the jurisdiction of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), citing that the Chinese government had previously excluded maritime delimitation disputes from arbitration.

In his address, Wang pointed out that the ruling by the so-called "arbitral tribunal" in 2016 exceeded its authority and misapplied international law, thereby undermining the integrity of global maritime regulations. He specifically criticized the tribunal's erroneous classification of Taiping Dao as merely a "rock" and rejected its conclusions regarding maritime rights for reefs in the Nansha Qundao. Wang warned that such incorrect standards would have significant ramifications on the maritime rights of other nations.

Moreover, he accused external forces of manipulating the arbitration process to create chaos in the South China Sea, asserting that many countries now recognize the true nature of this situation. Wang reaffirmed China's stance of respecting international law while ensuring the stability and security of navigation in the South China Sea. He reiterated that collaborative efforts between China and ASEAN nations have been effective in maintaining peace and that a unified approach is essential for future developments.