23/06 China says it strictly abides by Declaration on South China Sea

3 Comment(s)Xinhua, June 23, 2011

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China said on Thursday that it always strictly follows the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC).

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei made the comment in response to a question at a news briefing.

China attaches great importance to the DOC's role in maintaining regional stability and promoting mutual trust between China and member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), said Hong.

Since the signing of the DOC in 2002, China has actively pushed forward the implementation of the follow-up actions of the DOC, he said.

In the past nine years, China and ASEAN countries have hosted two senior officials' meetings and established a joint working group on the implementation of the DOC, he said.

He said marine scientific research, marine environment protection and navigation safety have been selected as priorities of cooperation by the joint working group.

The joint working group also reached consensus on six cooperative projects, including disaster prevention and mitigation in the South China Sea and coordination on marine search and rescue missions.

The joint working group has held six meetings on a rotational basis between China and ASEAN nations since it was initiated in Manila in 2005.

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14/06 China: Resolve South China Sea issue through talks

4 CommentsXinhua, June 14, 2011

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A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said Tuesday that the South China Sea issue should be resolved by directly related sovereign countries through friendly consultation and negotiation.

"China's position concerning the South China Sea issue remains clear and consistent," spokesman Hong Lei told a routine press conference, expressing his hope that countries not party to the South China Sea dispute truly respect the efforts of those who are.

Hong's remarks came in reply to a reporter's question on U.S. Senator Jim Webb's call on Monday for Washington to condemn China on the issue.

"China hopes the involved countries will do more to contribute to the the peace and stability in the region," the spokesman added.

"China wants to resolve the issue peacefully through friendly consultation and negotiation," Hong said, pledging that China will not resort to force to resolve the issue, which is a consensus written into the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.

Hong also said that recent tensions over the region were caused by some countries that took unilateral actions to impair China's sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and released groundless and irresponsible remarks in an attempt to expand and complicate the issue.

"This is where the problem lies," Hong said.

He reiterated that China is committed to implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea in a bid to safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea region.

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08/06 China asserts itself in S. China Sea dispute

 China.org.cn, June 8, 2011

China rejects the Philippines' accusation on the South China Sea issue, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei told a press conference Tuesday.

Hong said "Chinese vessels were cruising and carrying out scientific studies in waters under China's jurisdiction and their activities were in line with the law."

Recently the Philippines' Department of Foreign Affairs said the interests of their fisherman were harmed by the increasing activity of Chinese vessels on the South China Sea. The activity also undermined the peace and stability of the region, violated maritime jurisdiction and disobeyed the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, Xinhua reported.

Hong, in response to the Philippine accusation, said China holds a long-term and consistent position on the South China Sea, and the position remains unchanged for centuries and is in accordance with international laws, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

He said "China asks the Philippines to stop harming China's sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, which leads to unilateral actions that expand and complicate South China Sea disputes … The Philippines should stop publishing irresponsible statements that do not match the facts."

To properly handle the dispute, China is willing to seek solutions by directly consulting or negotiating with the Philippines, he said.

He also said that China is also willing to work with all sides involved to fully implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea to safeguard the stability of the sea by practical means and build it into a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation, Xinhua reported.