China calls on U.S. to stop sowing discord, creating trouble, instigating antagonism in South China Sea

BEIJING, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- China urges the U.S. side to promptly stop sowing discord, creating trouble and instigating antagonism in the South China Sea, to allow restoration of peace and stability in the region, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday.

According to media reports, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently said in a statement that the United States stands with its Philippine ally in rejecting China's plans to establish a national nature reserve on Huangyan Dao.

"We lodged serious protests today regarding the erroneous remarks made by the U.S. side," spokesperson Lin Jian told a daily news briefing when asked for comment.

"Huangyan Dao is an inherent territory of China," said Lin, while adding that the establishment of the Huangyan Dao national nature reserve is a matter within the scope of China's sovereignty -- which means it is reasonable, lawful and beyond criticism.

Currently, with the joint efforts of China and ASEAN countries, the situation in the South China Sea remains generally stable, Lin noted.

The United States, which is not a party to the South China Sea issue, has repeatedly made unwarranted remarks and chosen to interfere, involving itself in maritime disputes among the parties concerned, he said.

"By courting certain countries to create conflicts and escalate tensions, the United States has disrupted the otherwise peaceful state of the South China Sea," Lin added.

Highlighting that the so-called South China Sea arbitration is a political farce orchestrated entirely by the United States under the guise of legal proceedings, Lin said the so-called ruling is illegal and invalid, carries no binding force -- and is neither accepted nor recognized by China.

"It is quite clear who upholds international rule of law as well as peace and stability in the South China Sea, and who is the destroyer and troublemaker," Lin said.

China will continue to work with ASEAN countries to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, actively advance consultations on the code of conduct in the South China Sea, and jointly make the South China Sea a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation, Lin concluded.