China is a staunch force for peace and stability in the South China Sea, writes a spokesman for the Chinese Consulate General in Christchurch.
Recently there have been lots of articles about the South China Sea which failed to elaborate the historic and current situation in a comprehensive and objective perspective, and were likely to mislead the readers. I would like to make the following clarification and response.
First, it is China's long-standing position that it has indisputable sovereignty over the South China Sea Islands and their adjacent waters.
The Chinese were the first to discover and develop the islands.
The discovery of the islands by the Chinese people can be traced back to as early as the Han Dynasty between AD23 and AD220, as documented by ancient books of that time.
After World War 2, China took over the archipelagos invaded and occupied by Japan during the war, and erected on them marks of sovereignty.
Before the 1970s, no country had ever disputed China's sovereignty over the islands.
However, since the 1970s, some coastal countries have illegally occupied some of China's islands and reefs.
They have built fixed facilities, such as airports, harbour basins and barracks. Some countries even deployed offensive weapons like missiles, artillery guns and cannons.
This is the crux and root of the South China Sea disputes between China and other countries.
Second, China's construction work on some garrisoned islands and reefs of the Nansha Islands is totally within China's sovereignty.
It is lawful, reasonable and justified, not affecting or targeting any other countries. Once finished, the construction work will equip the islands and reefs with diversified and integrated functions which are mainly for civilian uses, apart from satisfying necessary military defence needs.
China is committed to a path of peaceful development, a defence policy that is defensive in nature and a foreign policy of building friendship and partnership with her neighbours.
China is a staunch force for peace and stability in the region.
Third, as a major country, China shoulders more international responsibilities and obligations.
China is conducting construction activities at a pace and with a scale befitting her international responsibilities and obligations in the fields such as maritime search and rescue, disaster prevention and mitigation, meteorological observation, ecological conservation, navigation safety and fishery services in the South China Sea.
These activities are designed to serve practical needs and provide better services to the ships of China, her neighbours and other countries passing through the South China Sea.
Fourth, for a long period there has never been any problem concerning the freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea that all countries are entitled to under the international law. Nor will there be any in the future.
However, countries must not abuse the freedom of navigation and overflight, still less shall they take the freedom as an excuse to infringe upon the sovereignty, rights and security of coastal countries that are protected by the international law.
China's construction activities will not undermine countries' freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea.
On the contrary, it will facilitate joint response to challenges on the sea and provide more guarantees for the safety of navigation.
Fifth, China remains committed to maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea and resolving disputes through negotiation and consultation.
We support strengthening mechanisms and rules governing the South China Sea issue, including the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and the formulation of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC), as effective means to manage disputes.
And we consistently stand for joint development and maritime co-operation as win-win arrangements pending the final resolution of the issue.
At the same time, China firmly upholds her sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and is opposed to any words or actions that encroach on China's sovereignty and legitimate rights and interests or affect regional peace and stability.
Countries not directly concerned on the South China Sea disputes should speak and act with caution on this issue, faithfully observe their commitment of not taking positions on sovereignty disputes, and respect the efforts by countries in the region to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.
Going in another direction would be less than responsible.
