CCTV9英语新闻：Diplomat reiterates China's stance, stresses dialogue

China's Representative to the United Nations Office in Geneva has stressed the need to resolve disputes in the South China Sea through negotiations and consultations, in accordance with international law while respecting historical facts.

 

Ma Zhaoxu told UN delegations and international organisations on Friday that China will not accept nor participate in the Philippines' unilateral arbitration case. He said the South China Sea islands have been part of China's territory since ancient times.

 

And he said the root cause of disputes is the illegal occupation of islands and reefs by the Philippines and other countries since the 1970s. Ma also stressed China's right to build facilities on some of the islands and reefs.

 

"We felt that the South China Sea issue has generated quite some attention from the international community, especially China's stance on the matter and our point of view. So I think we should increase publicity work to let the international community know where China stands and increase its understanding of our position," Ma said.