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Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
KUALA LUMPUR, July 12 (Xinhua) — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, spoke about the South China Sea issue here Saturday while answering questions from reporters on the sidelines of the annual ASEAN Plus Foreign Ministers' Meeting.
According to him, the situation around the SCS is discussed at these meetings every year, and this year was no exception. “What struck me most this time was the obvious temperature difference between the countries in the region and several countries outside it,” Wang Yi said.
At the meeting of the Chinese and ASEAN foreign ministers, the discussion of the SCS was more calm and confident because, compared with other seas in the world, the SCS is clearly stable and has no problems with freedom of navigation and overflight, he said.
Some countries outside the region continue to make irresponsible remarks about the South China Sea. Although their tone has softened considerably this year, they have not stopped, Wang Yi emphasized. They seem to be worried that there will be chaos in the South China Sea, he added. Countries in the region are now well aware of these “old tricks,” the minister believes.
Wang Yi said he proposed to forge a new narrative for the SCS, which should not be associated with friction, conflict or confrontation, but with peace, stability and cooperation. This should be the main narrative in the future, he said.
China and ASEAN countries are working in this direction, the minister stressed. “There is one country that seems to be out of step with the others, but I am sure it will eventually understand. By acting as a pawn for others, you can only become a victim yourself,” he said.
According to Wang Yi, China and ASEAN countries have agreed to update the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea by developing a Code of Conduct that is effective, meaningful and consistent with international law. The parties have agreed to try to adopt the code on schedule next year, the minister said, noting that consultations will be more frequent and the process will be accelerated in the next stage.
Wang Yi stressed that during the meetings, he also outlined China's position on the arbitration case surrounding the dispute in the South China Sea. The case has serious shortcomings in terms of establishing facts and applying the law, and during the proceedings, actions were taken that were justified by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, but in fact violated it, the foreign minister said. The damage from the case to regional peace and stability, as well as the maritime order, is becoming increasingly obvious, he added.
In essence, the so-called arbitration case is a political manipulation, its place is in the dustbin of history, concluded Wang Yi. –0–
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