China persists in resolving sea disputes through negotiation

China persists in resolving the South China Sea disputes through negotiations and consultation and some statements by the Philippines are the alibi used by some people with ulterior motives to smear at China, said a spokesman of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The spokesman, Lu Kang, made the statement at a daily press briefing Monday in response to some alleged fallacies by the Philippines concerning the South China Sea disputes and arbitration.

On the comments that the Philippines and China are world apart in strength and the Philippines has no way of resolving sea disputes through bilateral negotiations with China and that is why the Philippines has brought the disputes to arbitration, Lu Kand said: "Such comments have reminded us of the fallacy of the original sin of big powers. It is obviously an alibi used by some people with ulterior motives to smear at China. What is behind it is the logic of a strong power being hegemonic and judging others by the example of itself," said Lu Kang.

Lu stressed that China adheres to the path of peaceful development, persists in the defensive nature of the national defense policy, persists in its good-neighborly policy of being good to neighbors and making neighbor partners.

"For a long period of time, we have persisted in resolving differences in a peaceful way and through dialogue, consultation, negotiations and consultation," said Lu Kang.

Lu said China has demarcated the common boundaries with 12 neighboring countries through bilateral consultations and negotiations and in line with historical facts and the basic principles of the International Law. Besides, China and Vietnam have demarcated the sea boundary in the Beibu Gulf through negotiations.

"As a regional big power, we are fully aware of the great significance of regional peace and the responsibility on out shoulder. For long, we have, proceeding from the whole situation, persisted in handling the South China Sea issue in a constructive and responsible attitude. The door to negotiations and consultation has remained open,” said Lu Kang.

"Let's look at how the Philippines behaved. Turning a blind eye to the consensuses reached with China and lacking the sincerity in resolving problems through negotiation and consultation, the Philippines has from time to time played the role and portrayed its image as a so-called victim. It has constantly made troubles, provoking and sharpening the contradictions. It has incessantly adopted some provocative speeches and actions, making worse the regional peace and stability. China will never play the bully. But neither shall we tolerate and allow other countries to bluff us by hook or by crook by playing the weak," said Lu Kang. — Reuters