BEIJING, July 17 — A Chinese defense spokesperson on Friday said that the “South China Sea arbitration” is a political farce masquerading as a legal process, and the so-called award carries no legal force in any sense.
Jiang Bin, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, made the comment in response to a media query regarding the Philippine defense secretary’s recent visit to Zhongye Dao to take part in the activities commemorating the 10th anniversary of the so-called “South China Sea arbitration award.”
“China has indisputable sovereignty over Nansha Qundao and its adjacent waters, including Zhongye Dao,” Jiang said. The Philippine defense secretary, who is sanctioned by the Chinese side, is playing tough toward China by staging political shows and fanning nationalist sentiments, which will ultimately undermine the fundamental interests of the Philippines and its people, Jiang said.
The Chinese side does not accept nor recognize the award, nor does it accept any claims or actions based on it, he said. No matter how certain individuals in the Philippines perform, they can never distort the historical and legal fact that relevant islands and reefs belong to China, and can never shake the firm determination of the Chinese military to defend China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, Jiang noted.(Namibia Daily News / Xinhua)
