China’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Lin Jian, fired a diplomatic shot at the United States on Monday, urging it to stop “sowing discord, creating trouble and instigating antagonism” in the South China Sea 🌊. The goal? Let peace and stability take center stage in a region that’s been testing everyone’s patience.
The clash kicked off after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared that the United States stands with its Philippine ally in rejecting China’s plans to set up a national nature reserve on Huangyan Dao. In response, Lin Jian said China “lodged serious protests today” over Rubio’s “erroneous remarks.”
Lin Jian was clear: Huangyan Dao is “an inherent territory of China,” and creating a nature reserve there is well within China’s sovereign rights. With the joint efforts of China and ASEAN countries, he added, the South China Sea “remains generally stable”—until outsiders decide to stir the pot.
According to Lin, the U.S., which isn’t a party to the South China Sea disputes, has repeatedly interfered by “courting certain countries to create conflicts and escalate tensions.” He went as far as calling the South China Sea arbitration “a political farce orchestrated entirely by the U.S.,” arguing the ruling is illegal, invalid and carries no binding force.
So who’s really standing up for international law and regional peace? Lin Jian made it clear who the “upholder” is—and who the “troublemaker” is. Looking ahead, China will keep working with ASEAN countries to fully implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and push forward consultations on a code of conduct. The mission: turn the South China Sea into a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation 🤝.
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China urges U.S. to stop sowing discord, antagonism in South China Sea
cgtn.com
