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uring the 17th Asia Security Summit of IISS Shangri-La Dialogue 2018, the issue of so-called “militarization” in the South China Sea was played up by certain forces outside the region that falsely accused China of “intimidation and coercion” of countries in the region.

In response to the coverage by local media, the Chinese Embassy in Indonesia would like to share our stance as follows:

With joint efforts by China and ASEAN countries, the current situation in the South China Sea is turning for the better. The South China Sea issue has returned to the right track of resolving disputes through negotiation and consultation by countries directly concerned. Under the framework of full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), China and ASEAN member states are actively pushing forward the consultation on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC).

What China and ASEAN countries should pay attention to is the fact that the military presence by a certain major country outside the region far exceeds the total sum of China and other littoral countries combined. And this country keeps deploying advanced military aircraft and warships to the South China Sea, which frequently close in on islands and reefs, to conduct so-called freedom of navigation operations. This is particularly offensive considering the overall stable situation in the South China Sea and runs counter to the efforts of regional countries to maintain this peace and stability.

Playing up the so-called “militarization” of the South China Sea is merely a diversion to cover up the fact that it is the one that is militarizing the South China Sea, and to find an excuse to continue projecting power in the South China Sea.

China’s position on the South China Sea issue is consistent and clear-cut. By undertaking construction activities for peaceful purposes and deploying only necessary and limited homeland defense facilities on its own islands and reefs in the South China Sea, China is exercising its right to self-preservation and self-defense to which it is entitled under international law in an upright way. It has nothing to do with “militarization”, and is not targeted at any ASEAN countries.

The South China Sea is not only the common home of China and ASEAN countries, but also an important trade route for our region.

If the situation in the South China Sea turns unstable, it is the regional countries including China that will suffer the most from it. China is firmly committed to working with regional countries to safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea.

We hope that countries outside the region can truly respect the efforts of regional countries, play a constructive and responsible role, and do more of benefit for peace and stability in the South China Sea, not the other way around.