2016年CRI China issues white paper on South China Sea Islands（在线收听）

The white paper reaffirms that China's sovereignty over the South China Sea and its islands have been established in the long course of history, and are solidly grounded in history and law.

Chinese vice foreign minister Liu Zhenmin introduced the white paper at a news conference in Beijing, and says China's claim to the islands are based on historical proof.

"The South China Sea Islands have been widely recognized by the international community as part of China's territory since the end of the Second World War. It forms part of the post-war territorial demarcation and international order. Many countries recognize that the islands are part of China's territory."

Liu also says China wants to send several messages, and declare its stance on the South China Sea issue through the white paper.

"Our primary objective is to set the facts straight, including making clear that our sovereignty and rights and interest are established in a long course of history, not entirely by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea."

China had stated that it would not accept nor participate in the arbitration unilaterally initiated by the Philippines.

The vice foreign minister says China's policies of peacefully settling the disputes remain unchanged.

"While firmly safeguarding its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, China adheres to the position of settling disputes through negotiation and consultation, and managing differences through rules and mechanisms. China endeavors to achieve win-win outcomes through mutually beneficial cooperation, and is committed to working with other countries in the region, to making the South China Sea a sea of peace, cooperation and friendship."

The white paper notes that China, which is the first country to have discovered, named and explored the South China Sea Islands, has continuously, peacefully and effectively exercised sovereignty and jurisdiction rights over them.

The document also notes that the Philippines' territorial claim over part of Nansha islands in the South China Sea is groundless from the perspectives of either history or international law.

For CRI, this is Fu Yu.