China’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Fu Cong, firmly rejected U.S. accusations regarding the South China Sea during a high-level UN Security Council debate on multilateralism and peaceful dispute resolution on Tuesday.
Fu addressed the council first, setting out China’s stance, before the U.S. representative made claims about China’s actions in the South China Sea. In response, Fu took the floor again to counter these allegations.
He emphasized China’s indisputable sovereignty over the islands in the South China Sea and their adjacent waters, citing solid historical and legal foundations for its territorial claims and maritime rights. Fu reiterated that China does not recognize the so-called “ruling” from the South China Sea arbitration case, nor any actions or claims based on it.
The Chinese envoy highlighted that, thanks to joint efforts between China and ASEAN countries, the South China Sea has remained largely stable in recent years, with no issues concerning freedom of navigation or overflight. He stated that China continues to advocate for resolving maritime disputes through dialogue and consultation, respecting historical facts and international law.
Fu criticized the U.S. for disregarding the historical context and objective facts of the South China Sea issue, accusing Washington of sowing discord and undermining mutual trust among regional countries.
He pointed out that despite not being a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the U.S. often positions itself as a “judge” of the convention, interfering in other countries’ affairs and making baseless accusations.
Fu also condemned U.S. military activities in the South China Sea, including the deployment of offensive weapons like land-based medium-range missiles and frequent reconnaissance operations under the guise of “freedom of navigation.”
He stressed that it is well known who is attempting to destabilize the South China Sea and who is engaging in coercive actions that threaten freedom of navigation.
China remains committed to maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea and urges all parties to resolve disputes through constructive dialogue and mutual respect.
