Munich, Germany—At the Munich Security Conference, China’s former Deputy Foreign Minister Fu Ying expressed deep concerns over the United States’ involvement in the South China Sea disputes. Speaking on a panel titled “Making Waves: Maritime Tensions in the Indo-Pacific,” Fu emphasized that external interference is casting a “shadow” over efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region.
“Our primary concern is the shadow of the U.S. behind some claimants over islands in the South China Sea,” Fu said. “This foreign influence raises alarms about potential threats to China’s territorial integrity.”
The issue centers around the BRP Sierra Madre, a World War II-era ship grounded by the Philippines on Ren’ai Jiao in China’s Nansha Islands since 1999. Philippine Marines have been stationed on the vessel, and recent efforts by Manila to reinforce it have drawn strong opposition from China. Fu argued that this occupation violates the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), an agreement aimed at avoiding conflicts in the area.
Fu stressed that while China remains committed to protecting its territorial integrity, it also recognizes the importance of regional stability. “As a regional power, China has done a great job of striking a balance between safeguarding its territory and maintaining peace in the region,” she noted. “This balance has been crucial for the continued economic growth in Asia over the past decades.”
China advocates for resolving South China Sea disputes through dialogue and consultation among the countries directly involved, opposing external interference from nations outside the region. The DOC, signed in 2002 by China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), reaffirms principles such as freedom of navigation, peaceful dispute resolution, and self-restraint in activities. It emphasizes bilateral negotiations as the means of resolving disputes.
“We believe that countries in the region have the wisdom and capability to handle these issues themselves,” Fu concluded. “External pressure or intervention only complicates matters and undermines the efforts to maintain peace and stability.”
The Munich Security Conference, traditionally a platform to address global security concerns, saw heightened tensions this year as U.S. officials criticized major global powers. Observers noted that such criticisms could further strain international relations and hinder collaborative efforts to address pressing global challenges.
