Regarding the ten-year joint statement issued by the United States, the Philippines, Australia, Canada, Estonia, Germany, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, New Zealand, Romania, Slovenia, the United Kingdom and other countries on July 12, 2026 to commemorate the South China Sea Arbitration Award, ChinaThe Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China solemnly declares as follows:

1. China has sovereignty over the South China Sea Islands, including the Dongsha Islands, Paracel Islands, Zhongsha Islands and Nansha Islands; China's South China Sea Islands have internal waters, territorial waters, contiguous zones, exclusive economic zones and continental shelves; China has historic rights in the South China Sea.China's sovereignty over the South China Sea Islands and related rights and interests in the South China Sea were established over a long historical process.As early as the Western Han Dynasty in the 2nd century BC, the Chinese people sailed in the South China Sea and discovered the South China Sea Islands in long-term practice.China was the first to exercise sovereignty and jurisdiction over the South China Sea islands and related waters in a continuous, peaceful and effective manner.It has long been a general consensus in the international community that the South China Sea Islands belong to China.

2. The South China Sea is one of the safest sea lanes in the world. There has never been any problem with freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea.China firmly safeguards its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, and firmly safeguards peace and stability in the South China Sea.In response to the infringement and provocation of relevant countries in the South China Sea, China has taken firm measures to defend its rights and interests, which are reasonable, legal and professional.The United States and other countries outside the region continue to strengthen their military deployment in the South China Sea, go rampant and fan the flames of trouble. Such militarized and coercive behavior is the main challenge facing the current situation in the South China Sea.

3. Land territorial issues do not fall within the scope of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.Maritime delimitation disputes have been excluded from the compulsory dispute settlement procedures of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea by China’s 2006 declaration in accordance with Article 298 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.Regarding territorial issues and maritime delimitation disputes, China does not accept any dispute resolution imposed on China.China will continue to abide by the basic principles of international law and basic norms of international relations confirmed in the United Nations Charter, including respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity and the principle of peaceful settlement of disputes. China will insist on resolving relevant disputes in the South China Sea through negotiation and consultation with countries directly concerned on the basis of respecting historical facts and in accordance with international law, and maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea.

4. China’s position on the “South China Sea Arbitration Case” is clear, consistent and firm.The "South China Sea Arbitration Case" violates the basic principles of international law such as "state consent" and "agreement must be observed", violates the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea itself, and goes against the basic facts of the South China Sea.The so-called "ruling" is a piece of waste paper that is illegal, invalid and has no binding force.China does not accept or recognize the "award", and opposes and does not accept any claims and actions based on the "award".China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea will not be affected by this "ruling" under any circumstances.

5. In the ten years since the "Authorization" was issued, it has not only failed to resolve China-Philippines maritime-related issues, but has instead become a tool for the Philippines to expand territorial and maritime claims, intensifying regional conflicts, and providing an excuse for external forces to intervene in South China Sea issues and stir up the situation in the South China Sea. It has become a "stumbling block" affecting China-Philippines relations and peace and stability in the South China Sea.If the standards of "awarding" are followed, the islands and reefs of many countries will lose the basis for claiming maritime rights and interests.I would like to ask, have some countries that support the "ruling" voluntarily given up their maritime rights and interests on the corresponding islands and reefs?Relevant countries continue to hype illegal "rulings", which is inconsistent with the general trend of regional peace and stability, and runs counter to the aspirations of regional countries and people for development and prosperity. Their attempts are destined to fail.We urge relevant countries to earnestly respect China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, stop causing trouble on the South China Sea issue, and stop undermining peace and stability in the South China Sea.

(CCTV reporter Zhu Ruomeng)