On December 12， Global Affairs Canada released a statement which in disregard of facts, made groundless accusation against China’s fully justified law enforcement activities in waters adjacent to Huangyan Dao and Ren’ai Jiao. The Chinese side deplores and firmly rejects this.

Huangyan Dao has always been part of China’s territory and Ren’ai Jiao is part of China’s Nansha Qundao. China has indisputable sovereignty over Huangyan Dao and Nansha Qundao, including Ren’ai Jiao, and their adjacent waters. The official vessels of the Philippines intruded into adjacent waters of Huangyan Dao and Ren’ai Jiao without permission from the Chinese side. China Coast Guard took necessary measures in accordance with law, which were professional, restrained, lawful and legitimate. It was the Philippines, who went against its own promise and initiated the acts of infringement and provocation, that should take the responsibility for undermining peace and stability in the region.

There has been no problem with freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. China always respects and supports the freedom of navigation and overflight enjoyed by all countries in the South China Sea in accordance with international law. The Arbitral Tribunal in the South China Sea arbitration violated the principle of state consent, exercised its jurisdiction ultra vires and rendered an award in disregard of the law. This is a grave violation of UNCLOS and general international law. The award is illegal, null and void. China does not accept or recognize it, and will never accept any claim or action based on the award. 

The South China Sea is the shared home for the countries in the region. It should not be a hunting field for countries like Canada and the U.S. to seek geopolitical self-interests. Canada, a country outside the region, by endorsing the Philippines’ infringement of Chinese sovereignty, seriously violated the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and gravely jeopardized regional peace and stability, which we strongly condemn. China will continue to take necessary measures to respond to any provocative actions in accordance with domestic and international law and resolutely safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. We urge the Canadian side to respect China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, stop making troubles, creating confrontations, and sabotaging peace and stability in the region.