State councilor: South China Sea arbitration will not shake China’s resolve to pursue path of peaceful development

Eagle News — Chinese state councilor Yang Jiechi said that the South China Sea arbitration will not “in the slightest way” shake china’s resolve to pursue the path of peaceful development.

He said, china adheres to negotiation and consultation as a means for addressing relevant territorial and maritime delimitation issues, and resolutely safeguards peace and stability in the region.

The South China Sea, important to the Chinese people since ancient times, is our heritage to which our forefathers devoted their wisdom and even lives.

The Chinese government remains unwavering in its resolve to safeguard china’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea.

The Chinese people do not covet other countries’ interests or envy their development. At the same time, we will never give up our legitimate interests. No country should expect us to trade our core interests away or swallow the bitter consequences of our sovereignty, security and development interests being undermined.

The Chinese government and people will remain united and act resolutely to safeguard every inch of our land and every swath of our waters.