U.S., biggest threat to peace and stability of South China Sea: Chinese envoy

UNITED NATIONS, May 20 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy refuted on Tuesday the U.S.'s unreasonable accusations against China over the South China Sea, stating that the United States poses the biggest threat to the region's security and stability.

In response to remarks by Dorothy Shea, U.S. representative at the UN Security Council, on maritime security at an open debate, Geng Shuang, charge d'affaires of China's permanent mission to the United Nations, said China firmly opposes the remarks as the Security Council is not an appropriate venue for discussing the South China Sea issue.

"The United States, under the banner of freedom of navigation, has frequently sent its military vessels to the South China Sea to flex its muscles and openly stir up confrontation between regional countries," Geng said. "The United States itself is the biggest threat to the peace and stability of the South China Sea."

China is committed to working with the countries concerned to address sea-related differences appropriately through dialogue and consultation, based on respect for historical facts and international law, he said.

The so-called past verdict in the South China Sea Arbitration case is "illegal and invalid," and China does not accept or recognize it, said Geng.

Noting that the current situation in the South China Sea remains generally stable under the joint efforts of China and ASEAN countries, he said: "We have the determination and ability to build the South China Sea into a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation."

Regarding the U.S. representative's comments on the Taiwan issue, Geng urged the U.S. side to abide by its commitment to the one-China principle.

Geng reminded the U.S. representative that her remarks were "in stark contrast to other colleagues' statements."

"The statements made by the (UN) secretary-general, as well as other colleagues, all focus on how to maintain maritime security and develop international cooperation. The United States, however, has taken the opportunity in its statement to attack and discredit other countries and to suppress them recklessly," said Geng. "We hope that the United States can join other countries in playing a constructive role in maintaining maritime security."

Geng also called on the international community to uphold the concept of a maritime community with a shared future, maintain a just maritime order, jointly safeguard maritime security and stability, and strengthen global ocean governance.

"We will always be a builder of global ocean governance, a promoter of sustainable development of oceans and seas, and a defender of global maritime security and stability," Geng said. He added that China stands ready to work with the international community to promote an ocean order of peace, tranquility and win-win cooperation.