Question: After visiting the Philippines, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said that the UK is concerned about China's "dangerous and destabilising activities" in the South China Sea. What is your comment?

Embassy Spokesperson: The relevant remarks of the UK side confound right and wrong and are aimed at stirring up trouble. China firmly opposes this.

China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea are solidly grounded in history and the law. We firmly defend our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests and firmly uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea. China’s activities in relevant waters are legitimate, lawful, and beyond reproach. The South China Sea is one of the safest and freest waterways in the world.

As a country outside the region, the UK should respect China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, and the efforts of regional countries to maintain peace and stability. We urge the UK to stop heightening antagonism and sowing discord, and stop any words and deeds that undermine regional peace and stability.