Question: On 12 July, the UK signed a so-called joint statement on the “South China Sea Arbitration Award” issued by a small number of countries. What is the Embassy’s comment?

Embassy Spokesperson: We firmly oppose the UK’s signing of the so-called joint statement issued by a handful of countries to “mark” the so-called “South China Sea arbitration award”. The statement disregards the basic facts of the South China Sea, endorses the “award”, which is illegal, null and void, challenges China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, and disrupts regional peace and stability. We strongly condemn it. 

China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea have a solid historical and legal basis. The so-called “arbitration” violates fundamental principles of international law, including “state consent” and “pacta sunt servanda”, contravenes UNCLOS, and runs counter to the basic facts of the South China Sea. The so-called “award” is illegal, null and void, and has no binding force. China has stated from the outset that it does not accept or recognise it. Nor will China accept any claim or action based on it. China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea shall not be affected by the “award” under any circumstances.

It must be pointed out that the UK is not a party to the South China Sea issue and is in no position to make irresponsible remarks on China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea. The UK’s signing of the joint statement is utterly absurd. In essence, it amounts to disrupting peace and stability in the South China Sea, undermining the integrity and authority of UNCLOS, and challenging China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea. 

We urge the UK side to recognise the broader trend, respect the facts, and stop participating in the anti-China show staged by a handful of countries, and stop fanning the flames and stirring up trouble in the South China Sea. Otherwise, it will only fail and humiliate itself.