Recently, the Spokesperson of Chinese Embassy in the UK made a letter to the Financial Times, to refute its editorial on the South China Sea. The content of the letter is as follows:
Your editorial (“A deepening stand-off in the South China Sea”, The FT View, June 26) distorts history, disregards facts, and even claims that “the US is correct to support the Philippines in resisting Chinese encroachment”, inciting animosity and confrontation. It is seriously misleading and totally unacceptable.
China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea are based on solid historical and legal grounds. Nansha Qundao, including Ren'ai Jiao, has always been China’s territory. The scope of the Philippine territory is defined by a series of international treaties. China’s Nansha Qundao lies beyond the limits of the Philippine territory. The responsibility for the recent tension in the South China Sea lies entirely with the Filipino side. The Philippines tries to hide the fact that it has broken its promise to China, violated China’s sovereignty and kept provoking China. This is the reason behind its string of false accusations against China. I would like to emphasise the following points:
First, the Philippines went back on its promise to China regarding Ren’ai Jiao. It made a serious pledge to tow away its illegally grounded warship, but 25 years on, the vessel is still there.
Second, the Philippines breached the understanding between the two sides on properly handling the situation on Ren’ai Jiao. The Philippines promised it will not reinforce the “grounded” warship and will inform China in advance of resupply plans. Out of humanitarian considerations, China made special provisional arrangements for Philippine vessels sending living necessities to the warship quite a few times. However, the Philippines refused to honour its promise and made attempts to send construction materials for large-scale repair and reinforcement of the warship, repeatedly resorting to deceitful actions and small moves in order to build permanent structures on Ren’ai Jiao.
Third, the Philippines violated the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) jointly signed by China and ASEAN countries. Article 5 of the DOC stipulates that the Parties undertake to exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities that would complicate or escalate disputes and affect peace and stability including, among others, refraining from action of inhabiting on the presently uninhabited islands, reefs, shoals, cays, and other features. Ren’ai Jiao is uninhabited. Parties should maintain its state of hosting zero personnel and facilities. However, the Philippine military spokesperson openly vowed to build permanent structures on Ren’ai Jiao. The Philippines has also repeatedly sent people to step on China’s Tiexian Jiao and other uninhabited islands and reefs that belong to China in the South China Sea, which seriously contravenes the principles of the DOC.
Fourth, without the Chinese government’s prior consent, the Philippines unilaterally initiated an international arbitration, which violated international law, including UNCLOS, and the DOC. The arbitral tribunal in the South China Sea arbitration handled the case ultra vires and made an illegitimate ruling. The rendered award is illegal, null and void. China neither accepts nor participates in that arbitration, neither accepts nor recognises the award, and will never accept any claim or action arising from the award. China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea will not be affected by the award in any way.
Finally, I must point out that the US can not escape blame for the current situation. The US is deeply involved in the Philippines’ infringement and provocation activities at Ren’ai Jiao, instigating and supporting the Philippines in repairing and reinforcing the illegal “grounded” warship, and sending military aircraft and warships to the scene in coordination with the Philippines. The US government has openly voiced support for the Philippines with no respect for truth or rationality, even using the US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty to threaten and coerce China, boosting the confidence and arrogance of the Philippines in its maritime infringement and provocations. The US’s attempt to use the South China Sea issue to contain China is miscalculated and futile. China will not waver in its resolve to safeguard its sovereign rights and interests, and uphold international justice and fairness.
We urge the Financial Times to adhere to the morals of journalism, uphold the principles of objectivity, fairness and accountability, heed and report the just voices of countries and institutions in the region, cease unwarranted accusations against China, and refrain from making irresponsible remarks.
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The Financial Times published the relevant content of the refutation letter on 19 July .