Reporter: On July 12, the United Kingdom co-signed the so-called “South China Sea Arbitration Award” statement issued by a small group of countries. What comments does the embassy have on this? Embassy Spokesman: We strongly oppose the so-called “Commemorating the South China Sea Arbitration Decision” joint statement issued by a small group of countries. The statement ignored the basic facts of the South China Sea. It was an illegal and invalid so-called “South China Sea Arbitration Ruling”, challenging China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, and disrupting regional peace and stability. We strongly condemn this. China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea have sufficient historical and legal basis. The so-called “South China Sea Arbitration Case” violates basic principles of international law such as “national consent” and “agreement must be complied with,” violates the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and is even more contrary to the basic facts of the South China Sea. The “ruling” in the so-called “South China Sea Arbitration Case” is inherently illegal, invalid, and not binding. The Chinese side stated from the beginning that it did not accept or recognize it. The Chinese side will also not accept any claims or actions based on this “ruling.” China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea are not affected by the so-called “ruling” mentioned above under any circumstances. It must be pointed out that Britain is not a party to the South China Sea, and is not qualified to say anything about China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea. The joint declaration signed by the United Kingdom is ridiculous. Essentially, it disrupts the peace and stability of the South China Sea region, undermines the integrity and authority of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and challenges China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea. We urge the British side to clearly understand the general situation, respect the facts, stop participating in anti-China shows by a small group of countries, and not get the South China Sea inflamed and provoked trouble; otherwise, it will only end up humiliating itself.

Reporter: On July 12, the United Kingdom co-signed the so-called “South China Sea Arbitration Award” statement issued by a small group of countries. What comments does the embassy have on this? Embassy Spokesman: We strongly oppose the so-called “Commemorating the South China Sea Arbitration Decision” joint statement issued by a small group of countries. The statement ignored the basic facts of the South China Sea. It was an illegal and invalid so-called “South China Sea Arbitration Ruling”, challenging China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, and disrupting regional peace and stability. We strongly condemn this. China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea have sufficient historical and legal basis. The so-called “South China Sea Arbitration Case” violates basic principles of international law such as “national consent” and “agreement must be complied with,” violates the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and is even more contrary to the basic facts of the South China Sea. The “ruling” in the so-called “South China Sea Arbitration Case” is inherently illegal, invalid, and not binding. The Chinese side stated from the beginning that it did not accept or recognize it. The Chinese side will also not accept any claims or actions based on this “ruling.” China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea are not affected by the so-called “ruling” mentioned above under any circumstances. It must be pointed out that Britain is not a party to the South China Sea, and is not qualified to say anything about China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea. The joint declaration signed by the United Kingdom is ridiculous. Essentially, it disrupts the peace and stability of the South China Sea region, undermines the integrity and authority of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and challenges China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea. We urge the British side to clearly understand the general situation, respect the facts, stop participating in anti-China shows by a small group of countries, and not get the South China Sea inflamed and provoked trouble; otherwise, it will only end up humiliating itself.