China advocates building, maintenance of harmonious maritime order: UN envoy

UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- China advocated the building and maintenance of a harmonious maritime order under which the international community must put emphasis on both the proper protection of the ocean and its rational utilization, a Chinese UN envoy said here Tuesday.

Li Baodong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, made the statement at a meeting of the 67th session of the General Assembly on commemorating the 30th anniversary of the opening for signature of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Li said China advocates enhanced international cooperation and coordination in line with the spirit of the Convention in order to safeguard peace, security and openness of the ocean and promote the common development of all countries.

China highly commends Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) for its contribution to a balanced handling of the legitimate rights and interests of coastal states and the overall interests of the international community, Li said.

"We support the Commission in continuing to fulfill its mandate in accordance with the Convention and its own rules of procedure in order to maintain the quality and professionalism of its consideration of submissions," he said.

While congratulating the International Seabed Authority (ISA) on its achievements over the past year, Li said China has all along strongly supported the work of the ISA and promoted the effective and full participation of developing countries in international seabed affairs.

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