Beijing News According to *** news, on February 17, 2024 local time, Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China and chief of the Communist Party of China, attended the Munich Security Conference, delivered a keynote speech at the "China Session" and accepted on-site questions, refuting the so-called fallacy of China's aggressiveness in the South China Sea.
Wang Yi said that Nanhai Zhudao has always been China's territory. In the 60s and 70s of the last century, some countries invaded and occupied some of China's islands and reefs one after another, but China has always exercised restraint and insisted on resolving the issue through friendly consultations. In 2002, China promoted the signing of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea with ASEAN countries, which effectively safeguarded peace and stability in the South China Sea. At present, China is working with ASEAN countries to accelerate the negotiation of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, and strive to reach an early conclusion of effective, meaningful regional rules that are in line with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which will be more conducive to managing differences, stabilizing the South China Sea and promoting cooperation.
Wang Yi stressed that China and ASEAN countries have the ability and wisdom to agree on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea to maintain peace and stability and freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea, while safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of other countries in the region.
Edited by Jiani Liu.