China's position on S. China Sea consistent
Updated: 2012-09-05 16:44
(Xinhua)
|
|||||||||||
BEIJING - Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said Wednesday that China's position on the South China Sea has been consistent and clear.
Yang made the remarks at a joint press conference held with visiting US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
China has sovereignty over the South China Sea islands and their adjacent waters, said Yang.
"This is based on sufficient historical and legal grounds," he said.
Disputes over the sovereignty of some islands in the South China Sea and the overlapping of ocean rights in some parts of the region should be solved by the countries concerned through dialogue and negotiation on the basis of respecting history and international laws, Yang said.
"Since countries are talking about the importance of abiding by the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC) in the South China Sea, what I have said just now represents not only China's position, but also the basic principles and spirit of the DOC, the consensus reached by all of its signatories and the commitment made by all parties," Yang said.
He said several members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have agreed with China that parties concerned should make joint efforts to formulate a Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea.
"Navigation freedom and safety in the South China Sea are fully guaranteed," said Yang.
"The South China Sea is a lifeline for exchanges and trade between China and countries in the region. It does not have problems now and will not have any problems in the future," Yang said.
Related Stories
China, US have 'interwoven interests': Yang 2012-09-05 14:53
Clinton: China-US relations strong and solid 2012-09-05 11:05
China seeks regional energy cooperation as challenges mount 2012-09-05 09:22
Today's Top News
President Xi confident in recovery from quake
H7N9 update: 104 cases, 21 deaths
Telecom workers restore links
Coal mine blast kills 18 in Jilin
Intl scholarship puts China on the map
More bird flu patients discharged
Gold loses sheen, but still a safe bet
US 'turns blind eye to human rights'
Hot Topics
Lunar probe , China growth forecasts, Emission rules get tougher, China seen through 'colored lens', International board,
Editor's Picks
All-out efforts to save lives |
Liaoning: China's oceangoing giant |
Poultry industry under pressure |
'Spring' in the air for NGOs? |
Boy set to drive Chinese golf |
Latest technology gets people talking |