By Zhong Sheng
Some countries outside the region issued a joint statement on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the so-called "South China Sea Arbitration award". Ignoring historical facts and the basic principles of international law, they wrongly denied China's legitimate rights and interests in the South China Sea, groundlessly accused China's legitimate exercise of jurisdiction and rights-protection actions, and attempted to lend support to the so-called "award", which has been illegal and invalid from the outset. The so-called "South China Sea Arbitration" was a political manipulation driven by geopolitical self-interest. In essence, it was an attempt to disrupt the situation in the South China Sea at the expense of regional peace, stability, and the well-being of the people. Its ulterior motives are plain for all to see.
The South China Sea is not a "hunting ground" for countries outside the region, still less should it become a "gladiatorial arena" for major-power competition. The US, Japan, Australia, and the EU are not parties to the South China Sea issue and should maintain an objective and impartial position on sovereignty disputes in the South China Sea. Instead, driven by geostrategic self-interest, they have repeatedly lent support to the so-called "award", which is illegal and invalid from the outset. These countries outside the region have sought to cobble together exclusive blocs in the South China Sea, pursuing confrontation under the guise of "cooperation" and creating regional turmoil in the name of "order". They have deliberately heightened regional tensions, encouraged and condoned the Philippines' provocative actions that infringe upon China's rights and interests, and sought to drive a wedge between regional countries.
Some countries outside the region have a long history of sowing discord. The major international crises they created in the Middle East, Europe and elsewhere remain unresolved, with turmoil and division continuing to unfold. Now, they seek to repeat the same pattern by bringing instability to the South China Sea, making their intention to stir up trouble and undermine China all too clear.
The US has yet to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), yet it repeatedly casts itself as a "judge", wantonly criticizing and interfering in the legitimate maritime activities of other countries. Such actions fully expose its hegemonic mindset and hypocrisy. During World War II, Japan committed numerous crimes of aggression against China, including the illegal occupation of Chinese islands and reefs in the South China Sea, inflicting immense suffering on China and the Chinese people. Instead of reflecting on its past, Japan has once again sought to intervene in the South China Sea under the guise of being a so-called "stakeholder". Such actions will only remind people around the world of Japan's history of external aggression and expansion, and make them even more vigilant against its pursuit of remilitarization.
The so-called "South China Sea Arbitration" was a political farce, cloaked in legal form, unilaterally initiated by the Philippines with the instigation and support of countries outside the region. The so-called "award" has no legal effect from the outset. From procedure to substance, the so-called "award" is fundamentally untenable. Questions of territorial sovereignty fall outside the scope of UNCLOS. As early as 2006, China made a declaration under Article 298 of UNCLOS, excluding disputes such as maritime delimitation from compulsory dispute settlement procedures. By unilaterally initiating the so-called "arbitration", the Philippines violated both the bilateral consensus between China and the Philippines and the dispute-settlement principles established in the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC).
China's sovereignty and relevant rights and interests in the South China Sea have evolved over a long historical process and are supported by ample historical and legal grounds. China's sovereignty and relevant rights and interests in the South China Sea are in no way affected by the so-called "award". China has remained firmly committed to safeguarding its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea, and properly managing maritime differences through dialogue and consultation.
Peace, stability, prosperity and development in the South China Sea can only be promoted and safeguarded by the countries within the region themselves. The region neither needs nor will ever accept interference or disruption by countries outside. China urges those countries outside the region to recognize the broader trend and immediately stop stirring up trouble in the South China Sea. Certain countries in the region should also recognize the ulterior motives of external forces, return as soon as possible to the right track of resolving maritime disputes through consultation among the parties directly concerned, and observe and implement the DOC.