Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
UNITED NATIONS, May 21 (Xinhua) — A Chinese spokesman on Tuesday refuted Washington’s baseless accusations against Beijing over the South China Sea (SCS) issue, saying the United States poses the biggest threat to the region’s security and stability.
In response to US Security Council Ambassador Dorothy Shea’s remarks on maritime security during an open debate, China’s Chargé d’Affaires to the UN Geng Shuang said China firmly opposes these remarks because the Security Council is not the appropriate venue to discuss the SCS issue.
“The United States, under the slogan of freedom of navigation, often sends its warships to the South China Sea to demonstrate its power and stir up confrontation among countries in the region,” Geng Shuang said. “The United States itself is the biggest threat to peace and stability in the South China Sea.”
China is committed to working with relevant countries to properly resolve maritime disputes through dialogue and consultation based on respect for historical facts and international law, he said.
The so-called arbitration over the South China Sea issue is “illegal and invalid” and China does not accept or recognize it, Geng Shuang said.
Noting that the situation in the South China Sea is currently generally stable thanks to the joint efforts of China and ASEAN countries, he said: “We have the determination and ability to turn the South China Sea into a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation.”
Regarding the US representative’s comment on the Taiwan issue, Geng Shuang called on the US side to adhere to the one-China principle.
He reminded the US representative that her remarks “contrast sharply with statements by other colleagues.”
“The statements made by the [UN] Secretary-General and other colleagues focus on how to maintain maritime security and promote international cooperation. However, the United States took the opportunity to attack and discredit other countries and recklessly suppress them in its statement,” Geng Shuang said. “We hope that the United States can join other countries and play a constructive role in maintaining maritime security.”
The Chinese diplomat also called on the international community to uphold the concept of a maritime community with a shared future, maintain a fair and just maritime order, jointly safeguard maritime security and stability, and strengthen global maritime governance.
“We will always build global maritime governance, promote the sustainable development of the oceans and seas, and safeguard global maritime security and stability,” Geng said, adding that China is willing to work with the international community to promote a maritime order characterized by peace, tranquility and mutually beneficial cooperation. -0-