"China values and supports the important role of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea in the peaceful settlement of maritime disputes, the maintenance of international maritime order, and the dissemination of the law of the sea," Li said.
China also supports the adoption by the General Assembly of the concrete working recommendations by the Ad Hoc Open-ended Informal Working Group on marine biological diversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction, said Li.
"The relevant work should proceed in an incremental manner and fully accommodate the legitimate needs of all countries, especially developing countries, for marine biological resources."
The Chinese diplomat stressed that the key to addressing the question of greenhouse gas emissions from ships is to uphold the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities." He said China also commits itself to strengthening of the conservation and management of fishery resources.
"It must strike a balance between the interests of coastal states and the overall interest of the international community, properly accommodate the legitimate rights and freedom to the utilization of the ocean of all countries, especially the developing countries, land-locked countries and geographically disadvantage countries, and pursue peaceful settlement of maritime disputes in accordance with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law including the Convention," Li said.
Concerning the international insular and maritime disputes, Li added that China has always maintained that sovereign states directly concerned seek a peaceful settlement through friendly consultations and negotiations on the basis of the international law including the Convention.
Cumquat market in S China's Guangxi