China issues statement on certain countries' playing up of so-called "South China Sea Arbitration Award"
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement rejecting a joint international declaration regarding the 10th anniversary of the South China Sea Arbitration Award. China maintains its historical sovereignty over the region's islands and waters.
Why it matters
This highlights ongoing geopolitical tensions and conflicting territorial claims in the South China Sea involving major global powers.
BEIJING, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese foreign ministry on Sunday issued a statement on certain countries' playing up of the so-called "South China Sea Arbitration Award" ten years after its issuance.
Following is the full text of the statement:
Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China on Certain Countries' Playing up of the "South China Sea Arbitration Award" 10 Years After Its Issuance
In response to the joint statement released by the governments of the United States of America, the Republic of the Philippines, Australia, Canada, Estonia, Germany, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, New Zealand, Romania, Slovenia, and the United Kingdom on the so-called "South China Sea arbitration award" on July 12, 2026, 10 years after its issuance, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China solemnly declares the following:
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