So far, the literature we have revised comes from
Western authors and media. But, what is China’s position about the South China
Sea?
A set of documents brings light to the question. In
brief,
Stement
of the Government of the People's Republic of China on China's Territorial
Sovereignty and Maritime Rights and Interests in the South China Sea
(07/12/2016)
“To reaffirm China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and
interests in the South China Sea, enhance cooperation in the South China Sea
with other countries, and uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea,
the Government of the People's Republic of China hereby states as follows:
I. China's Nanhai Zhudao (the South China Sea Islands) consist of
Dongsha Qundao (the Dongsha Islands), Xisha Qundao (the Xisha Islands), Zhongsha
Qundao (the Zhongsha Islands) and Nansha Qundao (the Nansha Islands). The
activities of the Chinese people in the South China Sea date back to over 2,000
years ago.”
[…]
“V. China respects
and upholds the freedom of navigation and overflight enjoyed by all states
under international law in the South China Sea, and stays ready to work with
other coastal states and the international community to ensure the safety of
and the unimpeded access to the international shipping lanes in the South China
Sea.”
Complete document
China Adheres to the
Position of Settling Through Negotiation the Relevant Disputes Between China and
the Philippines in the South China Sea (13/07/2016)
“vi. On
jointly upholding peace and stability in the South China Sea.
140. China maintains that peace and stability in the South China Sea
should be jointly upheld by China and ASEAN Member States.
141. China pursues peaceful development and adheres to a defense policy
that is defensive in nature. China champions a new security vision featuring
mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and coordination, and pursues a foreign
policy of building friendship and partnership with its neighbors and of
fostering an amicable, secure and prosperous neighborhood based on the
principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness. China is a
staunch force for upholding peace and stability and advancing cooperation and
development in the South China Sea. China is committed to strengthening
good-neighborliness and promoting practical cooperation with its neighbors and
regional organizations including ASEAN to deliver mutual benefit.
142. The South China Sea is a bridge of communication and a bond of
peace, friendship, cooperation and development between China and its neighbors.
Peace and stability in the South China Sea is vital to the security,
development and prosperity of the countries and the well-being of the people in
the region. To realize peace, stability, prosperity and development in the
South China Sea region is the shared aspiration and responsibility of China and
ASEAN Member States, and serves the common interests of all countries.
143. China will continue to make unremitting efforts to achieve this
goal.”
Complete document
Wang
Yi Talks about How China Views Joint Communiqué of ASEAN Foreign Ministers'
Meeting (08/08/2017)
“On August 7, 2017
local time, Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the briefing for Chinese and
foreign media held after the series of Foreign Ministers' Meeting on East Asia
Cooperation in Manila, the Philippines.”
[…]
“Wang Yi expressed that some media may
be concerned about the statement of the South China Sea in the Joint Communiqué
of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting. There is a statement on this issue in
the Joint Communiqué every year, yet this year some differences have been
presented. First, the length of descriptions is much shorter than that of the
past. Second, the ten ASEAN countries all fully affirmed the results of
cooperation with China and the stable situation in the South China Sea. They
also fully affirmed to develop and approve the "Code of Conduct in the
South China Sea" (COC) framework with China and made clear to take an
active attitude of promoting the specific drafts in the next step.
Wang Yi said that perhaps some media friends would wonder why there are
still descriptions of "sea-filling for land-reclamation" in the Joint
Communiqué. I would like to tell you that the Joint Communiqué of this year
makes it quite clear in this part. However, still "some foreign ministers"
expressed concerns about the "sea-filling for land-reclamation",
indicating that there is no consensus of all ASEAN countries. In fact, one or
two countries expressed this kind of concern and what I would like to inform
everyone is that China has completed our land-filling two years ago. Thus, if
such phenomenon of sea-filling for land-reclamation still exists, it will never
happen in China.
Wang Yi said that the statement on "non-militarization" in the
Communiqué is not the same as the past either. This year, it is about "all
countries", including the restraint of both the inner-domain and the areas
outside the domain. All of us can have a thought on this matter: Among all
countries, which one is the most powerful and the most dynamic to show its
military power in the region? I think the answer is known to all.”
Complete document
Jorge Emilio Núñez
Twitter:
@London1701
06th September 2018
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