Chinese FM expounds South China Sea policies - Institute for Maritime and Ocean Affairs

BEIJING, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday stated China’s basic view and policy on the South China Sea during talks with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.

Wang said the overall situation in the South China Sea is stable. China is capable and confident of working with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to safeguard peace in the region.

The freedom and safety of navigation in the South China Sea was, is and will always be, unquestionable, he said, noting that all countries enjoy the lawful right to free navigation in the South China Sea.

China and ASEAN countries have implemented the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and strengthened maritime cooperation, he said, adding that the negotiation on the South China Sea code of conduct(COC) is moving forward smoothly.

China has sufficient historical and legal evidence for its sovereignty over the Nansha islands and adjacent waters, Wang said.