Q: On 20 June, the Spokesperson of the European External Action Service (EEAS) issued a statement expressing deep concern about the “dangerous actions” taken by China in the waters near Ren’ai Jiao on 17 June. The statement emphasized that the Arbitration Award of 2016 should be respected, and claimed that China’s new Coast Guard Regulation has added to regional tensions. What is your comment?
A: On 17 June, a supply vessel and two speedboats from the Philippines, without the permission from the Chinese government, illegally intruded into the adjacent waters of Ren’ai Jiao of China’s Nansha Qundao. The Philippine vessels in fact sought to bring construction materials and weapons to the military vessel illegal grounded at Ren’ai Jiao in an attempt to achieve long-term occupation. The Philippine side deliberately rammed Chinese vessels, threw water and hurled objects to Chinese enforcement personnel. These acts severely endangered the safety of Chinese vessels and personnel. In response, the Chinese side took necessary measures in accordance with law to safeguard its sovereignty. The measures were lawful, justified, professional, restrained, and beyond reproach.
Ren’ai Jiao is part of China’s Nansha Qundao, and China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Qundao, including the Ren’ai Jiao, and its adjacent waters. This is consistent with international law, including the UN Charter. Ren’ai Jiao is an uninhabited shoal. According to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea signed by China and ASEAN countries, parties should keep Ren’ai Jiao uninhabited and facility-free. The direct cause of the heightened tension in the South China Sea is that the Philippine side has reneged on its words, infringed on China’s sovereignty and made provocations again and again.
The EEAS’s statement, in disregard of facts, called white black, groundlessly accusing China’s legitimate and lawful actions in defense of its rights and interests, while endorsing the Philippine’s infringements and provocations. Such statement does not contribute to the peace and stability in the South China Sea. China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposed to this.
It needs to be stressed that the South China Sea arbitration violates the basic principles of international law. The award is illegal, null and void. Any attempt to use the illegal award on the South China Sea arbitration to undermine China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests will not succeed. There has never been any problem with the freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. Over 100,000 merchant vessels travel in the region annually and not a single ship has ever encountered hurdles. The regulations of China Coast Guard are rolled out to enforce China’s Coast Guard Law, standardize the administrative law enforcement procedures of the Coast Guard agencies, and better uphold order at sea, which is consistent with international practices.
On the South China Sea issue, China insists on properly handling differences through negotiation and consultation with countries directly concerned, and at the same time resolutely responding to any infringement and provocative moves at sea. The EU is not a party to the South China Sea issue. We urge the EU side to face up to the truth, take an objective and impartial position, exercise prudence, and respect the rights and interests of the Chinese side as well as the efforts made by countries in the region for peace and stability in the South China Sea.