Jiang Bin Photo: China's Ministry of National Defense

The so-called South China Sea Arbitral Award is entirely illegal, null and void. China does not accept or recognize it, and will never accept any claim or action based on the award, said Senior Colonel Jiang Bin, a deputy director-general of the Information Office of the Ministry of National Defense and spokesperson for the ministry, on Thursday in response to claims by certain Philippine Coast Guard officials that relevant waters in the South China Sea is part of Philippine territory based on international law and the "2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award", and any claim that the waters are disputed is a challenge to the Philippines' sovereignty.

China has indisputable sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao and its adjacent waters, and has sovereign rights and jurisdiction over relevant waters, Jiang said. China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea are fully backed by historical and jurisprudential evidence, and are under no circumstances affected by the award, said the spokesperson.

Jiang also noted that driven by self-interest, some forces of the Philippine side have gone to great lengths to stir up troubles at sea and fabricate false narratives. Their behaviors have disrupted bilateral relations and undermined regional peace and stability. The Chinese side is unwavering in our will to defend territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. Should the Philippine side obstinately continue with its rights-violating acts, provocations and propaganda, it will only face more resolute countermeasures from the Chinese side.

Global Times