The South China Sea Issue_CCTV.com English

Editor's Note

The Nansha Islands have been inherent Chinese territory since ancient times. Chinese activities in the South China Sea date back to 2000 years ago. China was the first country to discover, name and exploit the resources of the South China Sea islands. China was also the first country that exercised and has continuously exercised sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the islands.

Spotlight

China says its sovereignty not affected by award

Headlines

China accuses Japan of seeking confusion

China has accused Japan of trying to "confuse" the situation in the South China Sea. The statement comes after Japan said it would step up activity in the contested waters, through joint training patrols with the United States.

Analysts: China and ASEAN have positive ties far greater than South China Sea disputes

China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations are celebrating 25 years of dialogue partnership. Although there are disagreements, including territory in the South China Sea, analysts say the positives of the relationship are far greater than the disputes.

Chinese Vice FM: Outside interference unwelcome

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin said on Thursday, it is not appropriate for countries outside the region to push the so-called South China Sea "arbitration" at the East Asia Summit.

Background

The nine-dashed line was first discovered and owned by China. It is a maritime boundary line formed after China’s long-term jurisdiction and development of the South China Sea islands.

China holds sovereignty and jurisdiction rights within the nine-dashed line. Other countries’ ships have the right to freedom of navigation and their aircraft enjoy rights to fly over the territory.

There had been no problem with the nine-dashed line before the 1970s, but with Vietnam, the Philippines and other countries pushing further territorial claims, more governments are beginning to deny legitimacy of the nine-dashed line.

The United States and other countries have intervened in the South China Sea issue; using the so-called freedom of navigation in the South China Sea to deny the nine-dashed line to disregard China’s territorial rights.

--A brief look at the South China Sea arbitration case

China's Stance on South China Sea

Remarks by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the Award of the So-called Arbitral Tribunal in the South China Sea Arbitration

First, the South China Sea arbitration is completely a political farce staged under legal pretext. Such a nature must be exposed for everyone to see.

Second, China’s position of non-acceptance and non-participation is aimed at upholding international rule of law and rules of the region.

Third, China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea are based on solid historical and legal ground. They shall not be affected by the award of the Arbitral Tribunal.

Fourth, China will remain committed to peaceful settlement of disputes through consultation and negotiation, and will continue to work for peace and stability in this region.

Chinese diplomat: S. China Sea Arbitration is a political farce

Ambassador Liu Xiaoming gives interview to Reuters on the South China Sea

Dai Bingguo: China not to be intimidated, even if U.S. sends 10 aircraft carriers to South China Sea

China reiterates arbitration is not legally binding

China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang has repeated the country's stance that the award by an arbitral tribunal on the South China Sea issue is not legally binding.

China: Parties should respect Declaration of Conduct

"Over the past 60 years, the Chinese government has always adhered to solving disputes through negotiations and consultations in order to maintain good relations with neighboring countries and more importantly, to safeguard peace and stability of Asia. Asia is now a major driver of economic growth in the world. If Asia's peace and stability is at stake, and if Asia is unable to sustain its growth momentum, what will happen to the world? This is a question Asian countries should ponder on, and so should other countries," said China's vice FM.

China: Japan shouldn't intervene into South China Sea issues

Spokesperson Lu Kang of Chinese Foreign Ministry said that Japan shouldn't intervene into or hype up the South China Sea issue, as it's not a directly involved country. Also Japan has a dishonorable history and not in a right position to give irresponsible comments to China. He made such comments when asked that Japan's Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said he will discuss with Chinese counterpart on the South China Sea issue, if there is a chance for both to meet in the ASEAN FM meetings.

Insights and Commentary Articles

Will the Philippines now walk the talk?

Whatever the government of the Philippines was thinking when it decided to put its disputes with China before a kangaroo court, it was surely not that the process would bring peace and harmony to a tranquil tropical sea.

New Nansha airports enable China to better serve public good in South China Sea

China successfully carried out test flights on two new airports on the Nansha Islands in the South China Sea on Wednesday, further enhancing its capability to provide public services as a responsible player in the region.

S. China Sea arbitration another plot hatched by U.S. to reinforce hegemony

The so-called South China Sea arbitration is just a start key for the United States having ulterior motives to agitate the South China Sea situation to reinforce its hegemony. The superpower has always been trying to maintain its hegemony around the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, and turn the western Pacific Ocean into its own sphere of influence, dreaming to turn the South China Sea into the Caribbean where its warships patrol at will.

The right to reject tribunal ruling is real

After the Philippines filed a case in The Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration against China in the South China Sea dispute, Beijing has made it clear that it would neither participate in nor accept the ruling of the arbitral tribunal. But despite the extensive international support it has received, Beijing's "non-participation and non-acceptance" stance has been criticized by some Western countries.

S. China Sea arbitration simply bad for Southeast Asia

The South China Sea arbitration unilaterally initiated by former Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III has not only soured China-Philippines ties, but also undermined international rule of law and regional stability. The arbitration was a bad idea from the beginning for one simple reason: it is detrimental to the interests of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) that groups 10 member states, including the Philippines.

China not alone in South China Sea issue

As the Chinese government and people's stance on the South China Sea issue wins increasing support worldwide despite the so-called arbitration initiated by the Philippines, the expectation of isolating China has proved unrealistic...Internationally, a wider range of nations, including members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), have voiced their recognition of China's position.

Philippines wise to draw experience from U.S. bloody record of intervention

In pointing out the correlation between Washington's meddling in regional affairs and the trail of unrest that ensues, Duterte has taken a bigger leap forward than the previous government, which had jumped to invite the United States into the strategic body of water.

Direct dialogue, joint efforts needed to end South China Sea dispute: Chinese diplomat

In a signed article entitled "Some clarification on the issue of the South China Sea" published by the business daily Les Echos on Monday, the Chinese diplomat said an alternative would be within reach if all countries concerned show a responsible attitude and work together to bridge their differences via friendly consultations and negotiations.

"China will not accept and will not recognize the ruling (of) the tribunal, and expresses its deep concern about the abusive and arbitrary extension of the court's powers," the Chinese ambassador to France said.

China Getting More Supports

* China praises Mozambique, Burundi, Slovenia for support on South China Sea

* Bosnia, Herzegovina voices support for China

* Afghanistan, Camboda voice support for China

* Arab countries support Beijing to resolve dispute through friendly negotiations

* Niger calls on int'l judicial and arbitration institutions to respect dispute resolution methods chosen by other countries

CCTV Special Coverage

Can the South China Sea arbitration be fair?

History: China has indisputable sovereignty over South China Sea islands

Chinese activities in the South China Sea date back to 2000 years ago
"Geng Lu Book", a historic book written between China's Ming Dynasty (AD 1368-1644) and Qing Dynasty (AD 1644-1911), gives people a full picture of Chinese fishermen sailing across the South China Sea fishing, living and farming on the islands and reefs in the area.
China was the first country to discover, name and exploit the resources of the South China Sea islands. China was also the first country that exercised and has continuously exercised sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the islands.
In 1946, the Chinese government resumed exercise of sovereignty over the South China Sea islands and reefs from foreign powers that had occupied them, and re-erected a monument of sovereignty on the main island.
In 1947, China made public the old and new name table of the South China Sea islands and the "South Sea Islands Location Map," declaring China's territorial and maritime demarcation.

Backgrounder: "Geng Lu Book," encyclopedia on South China Sea

CCTV Special Coverage