China: South China Sea arbitration misinterprets, distorts UN Convention on the Law of the Sea

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that the South China Sea arbitration misinterpreted and distorted the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Ma Xinmin, director-general of the Department of Treaty and Law of the ministry, made the remarks during the International Symposium on "Review of the South China Sea Arbitration Awards" held in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province.

He pointed out that the continental states' outlying archipelagos constitute a distinct category of national territory recognized by international law.

The legal status of archipelagos as units and their maritime rights are well-established principles of customary international law that predate UNCLOS, he said.

"The regime governing these rights continues to be regulated by customary international law in parallel with the convention. After the adoption of the convention, these matters remain outside its scope. Undoubtedly, this does not conflict with the convention."

Therefore, the claims of "convention supremacy," "convention exclusivity" and "convention priority" should be cast aside, he added.

Ma urged full respect for customary international law and the sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction of continental states with outlying archipelagos.

"This attitude is essential for truly upholding the authority and integrity of international law of the sea and ensuring international fairness and justice," he said.