Q: On 11 July, the EU released a statement to mark the 10th anniversary of the so-called “South China Sea Arbitration Award,” claiming that the “award” must be respected and fully implemented by the parties involved, and that it is of critical importance to uphold the freedoms, rights and duties set out in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), in particular the freedom of navigation and overflight. What’s China’s comment on this?

A: The EU is not a party to the South China Sea issue. The EU’s statement disregards the historical context and objective facts surrounding the South China Sea issue, violates the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter, and is not conducive to peace and stability in the region.

China has repeatedly stated that the so-called “South China Sea Arbitration Award” is illegal, null and void, and non-binding. China neither accepts nor recognizes the “award,” and does not accept any claim or action based on it.

Formulating a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) is part and parcel of implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC). China and ASEAN countries all agreed to this. China is committed to working with ASEAN countries to accelerate the COC consultations for its early conclusion and keep the South China Sea peaceful and stable. The “award” has absolutely no relevance to the COC.