During the recent International Symposium in Qingdao, the Chinese Foreign Ministry voiced strong criticisms of the South China Sea arbitration, claiming it misinterpreted and distorted the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Ma Xinmin, the director-general of the Department of Treaty and Law, emphasized that the continental states' outlying archipelagos are a distinct category of national territory recognized by international law. He highlighted that the legal status of archipelagos and their maritime rights are well-established principles of customary international law that precede UNCLOS.
Ma clarified, \"The regime governing these rights continues to be regulated by customary international law in parallel with the convention. After the adoption of the convention, these matters remain outside its scope. Undoubtedly, this does not conflict with the convention.\"
He urged the international community to set aside claims of \"convention supremacy,\" \"convention exclusivity,\" and \"convention priority,\" advocating for full respect of customary international law and the sovereignty of continental states with outlying archipelagos.
Ma concluded by stating, \"This attitude is essential for truly upholding the authority and integrity of international law of the sea and ensuring international fairness and justice.\"
Reference(s):
China: South China Sea arbitration misinterprets, distorts UNCLOS
cgtn.com
