Ambassador Wu Haitao (Photo : UN)
The situation in the South China Sea is being resolved to China's advantage and according to China's desire for bilateral consultations, said Ambassador Wu Haitao, China's Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
He told an audience at the 71st UN General Assembly on Oceans and the Law of the Sea that because of to the joint efforts of China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the situation in the South China Sea is developing in a positive direction favoring China and has been brought back to the right track of dialogues and consultations China has insisted on in the past.
"We hope that states concerned will work together with China to seek a solution to the dispute through negotiations and consultations and maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea," said Wu.
"The so-called 'Arbitration on the South China Sea' was null and void with no binding power whatsoever," he pointed out.
"China does not accept it, did not participate in it and does not recognize it to uphold the international rule of law. That page of the so-called 'arbitration' has been turned over."
Ambassador Wu claimed China will act as a defender of the rule of the international maritime law, a builder of a harmonious maritime order and a promoter of the sustainable marine development.
"We look forward to continuing to strengthen cooperation with all countries in order to further promote the protection and sustainable use of the oceans and seas."
He also pointed out that "China highly values the peace and stability in the South China Sea" and has "always taken a constructive and responsible approach in addressing the issue.
In China's favor is the Philippines' volte-face in its relationship with the United States. This sudden and steep deterioration in relations with the Philippines can be traced to the anti-American bias of president Rodrigo Duterte.
Duterte has long been criticized for either being a communist sympathizer or a member of the Beijing-oriented New People's Army fighting to overthrow the government.
His first official visit as president, this to communist Vietnam, and his visit to China, are reinforcing the perception among a growing number of Filipinos that Duterte plans to transform the Philippines into a communist state.
