BEIJING, Dec. 9 – Ambassador Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations (UN), sternly rebuked the erroneous remarks concerning the South China Sea made by Philippine representative at the 76th session of the UN General Assembly on Tuesday.
Addressing the UN session, Amb. Geng pointed out that the South China Sea arbitration case was unilaterally initiated by the Philippines, and the arbitration tribunal overstepped its jurisdiction and passed the ruling by flouting the law. He said the ruling is, therefore, null and void and has no binding force. "China does not accept either the ruling or any claims and actions based on it," Geng said.
Geng stated that China has sufficient historical and jurisprudential basis regarding its territorial sovereignty as well as maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea. China has always dedicated itself to properly managing differences and peacefully settling disputes with countries directly concerned through negotiation and consultation while doing its utmost to maintain the friendly relations with neighboring countries. "We hope the Philippine side does the same thing," Geng stressed.
