China on Tuesday reiterated its rejection of the "South China Sea arbitration award," calling the ruling a political farce disguised as a legal proceeding.
Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, made the remarks at a regular press briefing in Beijing in response to a question about the Roundtable Dialogue on South China Sea Security held in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on Monday. At the event, Chinese representatives once again refuted the fallacies surrounding the so-called South China Sea arbitration award.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian speaks at a press conference in Beijing. (File photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
On July 12, 2016, the so-called South China Sea Arbitration Tribunal issued an award in an attempt to deny China's territorial sovereignty and its legitimate maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea. The Chinese government immediately stated its objection to the arbitration and refused to recognize the award.
Lin said that the so-called South China Sea arbitration award is a political farce disguised as a legal proceeding.
An aerial photo of the China Coast Guard vessel Sandu patrolling near a reef in the South China Sea, March 24, 2026. (Photo: Xinhua)
"The illegal arbitral award in the so-called 'South China Sea arbitration award' will not change the historical facts that China has sovereignty over the South China Sea islands and their adjacent waters, as well as sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the relevant waters," the spokesperson told the conference.
"It will not shake China's resolve and determination to safeguard its sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, nor will it affect China's policy and position of resolving relevant disputes through negotiations and consultations with countries directly concerned," Lin said.
"China will continue to work with regional countries to safeguard peace and security in the South China Sea and promote the region's prosperity and development," he added.
(Compiled by Song Wanlin)