Beijing Responds To ASEAN-Australia Concerns About The South China Sea

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning when delivering a statement to the media in Beijing, China on Wednesday (6/3/2024). (ANTARA/Desca Lidya Natalia)

JAKARTA - Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning responded to a joint ASEAN-Australia declaration about the South China Sea by stating that the situation in the disputed waters of a number of these countries was generally stable.

"The situation in the South China Sea is generally stable. China's position on the issue of the South China Sea is very clear and consistent because we will remain committed to handling disputes well through dialogue and consultation with related countries," Mao Ning said when delivering a statement to the media in Beijing as reported by ANTARA, Wednesday, March 6.

The result of the ASEAN-Australian summit on March 6, 2024, is a joint declaration that states "We encourage all countries to avoid unilateral actions that endanger peace, security and stability in the region. We recognize the benefits of making the South China Sea a sea of peace, stability, and prosperity."

The declaration was made following a ship collision incident between the Philippine coast guard and Chinese coast guard in waters near the South China Sea Ren'ai Jiao reef on Tuesday (5/3) that sparked renewed tensions.

There are four ASEAN members, namely the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei Darussalam who are at odds with China in terms of claims in the South China Sea.

"We want to work with ASEAN countries to implement a Party Behavior Declaration (DOC) in the South China Sea in full and effective manner, intensify consultations on code of conduct in the South China Sea and jointly maintain peace and stability in the region," said Mao Ning.

Regarding the incident that occurred near Ren'ai Jiao on March 5, Mao Ning said it happened because the Philippines violated China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.

"China is taking necessary action in accordance with the law. Our operations are professional, under control, justifiable, and legitimate so that the responsibility for this incident is entirely in the hands of the Philippines," said Mao Ning.

Mao Ning asked the Philippines to immediately stop violations and provocations in the South China Sea because China will continue to take a firm stance on safeguarding its legitimate sovereignty in accordance with internal and international law.

In addition, Mao Ning also asked the US Ministry of Foreign Affairs not to ignore facts and carry out baseless attacks against China's actions following US Foreign Ministry Spokesman Matthew Miller's statement saying the US supports its Philippine allies because Chinese ships carried out dangerous maneuvers and fired water cannons at Philippine ships.

"They arbitrarily threatened China by using the US-Philippine Joint Defense Agreement to support Philippine violations. We firmly oppose it because the so-called arbitration decision regarding the South China Sea is completely illegal, null and void," added Mao Ning.

Mao Ning also reminded that the issue of Ren'ai Jiao is a bilateral issue between China and the Philippines.

"The US or any third party should not exploit this issue to spread disputes, let alone intervene. China urges the US not to use the Philippines as a pawn to destabilize the South China Sea. The Philippines also needs to refrain from being manipulated by the US," said Mao Ning.

China claims sovereignty over almost all regions in the South China Sea by calling it the "Nine-Dash Line" area, which is a historical Chinese military region, including a coral area called "Nanhai Zhudao" consisting of Dongsha Qundao, Xisha Qundao, Zhongsha Qundao and Nansha Qundao and the surrounding waters.

The coral island, which China calls "Ren'ai Jiao", while by the Philippines as "Beting Ayungin" is part of the Spratly Islands disputed by the two countries, as well as several other Southeast Asian countries.

The Philippines has also placed the BRP Sierra Madre warship as a "floating headquarters" for the Philippine coast guard on the reef since 1999 and routinely supplies logistics to its coast guard on the ship.