BEIJING: In response to a question regarding a recent joint statement issued by the defense ministers of the Philippines, Australia, Japan and the US claiming “serious concern” regarding China’s actions in the East China Sea and South China Sea and the so-called 2016 South China Sea arbitration award, Chinese FM Spokesperson Mao Ning said on Thursday that certain countries are hyping false narratives on maritime issues and unjustly attacking and smearing China. China expresses strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to this, according to The Paper.
Mao stressed that the situation in the East and South China Seas remains generally stable. Relevant parties should respect the efforts of regional countries to properly handle maritime issues and safeguard regional peace and stability through dialogue and consultation, stop stirring up disputes and tensions under the pretext of maritime issues.
Mao further pointed out that the so-called South China Sea arbitration is nothing but a political farce disguised as law, aimed at creating chaos in the South China Sea for selfish gains. The so-called award is illegal, null and void, and has no binding force. China has never accepted or recognized it.
The Asia-Pacific is a highland of cooperation and development, not a chessboard for geopolitical rivalry. Engaging in bloc politics and camp confrontation will not bring peace and security, it is detrimental to stability of Asia-Pacific and the world, said Mao.
