According to a report on the website of the Chinese Permanent Mission to the United Nations on June 17, Sun Lei, the Chinese Deputy Representative to the United Nations, delivered a general statement at the 36th Meeting of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Chairperson
Chinese delegation thanked the Secretary-General of the United Nations for submitting a report in accordance with Article 319 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. They praised the efforts made by the Secretariat to promote the development of oceans and marine law, and gave positive evaluations to the work carried out by the International Seabed Authority, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, and the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf over the past year.
Chairperson,
The ocean is the common home of humanity and an important area for global governance. In the face of a complex international situation, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Governance Initiative last September, emphasizing five core concepts: sovereign equality, international rule of law, multilateralism, people-oriented approaches, and action-oriented strategies. To date, this initiative has received support from nearly 160 countries and international organizations. The “Friends Group of Global Governance” has been established in New York, Geneva, and Vienna, engaging in extensive discussions regarding the reform and improvement of global governance. As the first country to sign the United Nations Charter, China feels a duty to use the Global Governance Initiative to uphold the authority of the United Nations and work with other countries to revitalize and strengthen the organization.
Chairperson,
2026년은 중국이 유엔 해양법 협약의 당사국이 된 지 30주년이 되는 해입니다. 현재 해당 협약의 당사국은 172개국으로 증가했으며, 점차 보편적인 참여를 바탕으로 한 세계적 조약으로 발전해 왔습니다. 다른 해양 관련 조약 및 관습 국제법과 함께, 현대 해양 질서를 형성하는 국제 해양 법률 체계를 공동으로 구축하고 있습니다. 지난 30년 동안 중국은 협약을 선의로 준수하며, 전 세계 해양 거버넌스를 개선하고 인류의 공동 복지를 증진하는 데 중요한 기여를 해왔습니다.
Firstly, it is necessary to maintain international peace and security. China has always advocated fulfilling the provisions of the Convention by respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries. It supports countries in resolving maritime disputes through peaceful means of their own choice, particularly through negotiations and consultations. China promotes a cooperative and mutually beneficial approach to maritime security, and is committed to creating a safe and fair maritime environment based on equality, mutual trust, and shared development. China has dispatched 48 escort missions to the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia to carry out regular escort tasks, thereby maintaining maritime peace and order.
Secondly, promoting sustainable development of the oceans. China attaches great importance to the conservation and rational use of marine resources, and works together with all parties to implement the maritime targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. China is firmly committed to the path of green development. It has designated 150,000 square kilometers of marine ecological protection areas within its domestic jurisdiction and established 353 marine ecological nature reserves. China has joined the Port State Measures Convention, adopting a “zero tolerance” policy towards illegal fishing. It also conducts autonomous fishing bans in the high seas and actively participates in the establishment and operation of high seas protected areas.
Third, strengthen marine scientific research and environmental protection. China is deeply involved in the United Nations’ “Ocean Decade” initiative, supporting international cooperation in marine scientific research, including the transfer of marine science and technology to other developing countries. China collaborates with many countries on joint marine scientific expeditions and shares research findings. China has established a national network for monitoring marine ecological environment quality, contributing to numerous international marine environmental protection projects.
Fourth, promote exchanges and cooperation related to the sea. China is an important member of the global South, committed to promoting capacity building in marine affairs through South-South cooperation. To date, China has provided marine disaster prevention and early warning services to more than 130 countries, and has trained over 100,000 professionals in marine affairs for more than 50 developing countries. At the United Nations Ocean Conference in 2025, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng announced that China will launch 100 bilateral and multilateral cooperation projects, provide 5,000 training places, and support capacity building in developing countries. The related work is progressing in an orderly manner.
Chairperson,
As President Xi Jinping profoundly pointed out, the blue planet where we humans live is not divided into isolated islands by the ocean, but rather connected into a community of shared destiny by the ocean. Currently, the international maritime order is undergoing profound adjustments, and improving global marine governance depends on the international community sharing moral responsibilities and working together. The Chinese side would like to put forward the following suggestions:
First, we must practice multilateralism and defend international fairness and justice. All parties should uphold the international order based on international law, oppose unilateralism and hegemonic actions, and promote the democratization and legalization of global ocean governance. All parties should maintain a fair and reasonable international maritime order, and oppose the exploitation of international seabed resources without regard to international rules, which undermines the common heritage of all mankind.
Secondly, it is necessary to balance the maintenance and utilization of marine resources while promoting sustainable development of the oceans. “Maintenance” and “sustainable utilization” are two sides of global ocean governance, and their relationship should be handled in a balanced manner. It is essential to effectively protect the marine environment and create healthy, resilient oceans. Additionally, it is important to develop marine resources in an orderly manner, ensuring global food and energy security, enriching the supply chain of key minerals, and contributing to achieving the United Nations’ sustainable development goals.
Third, strengthen international cooperation and improve the level of capacity building. All parties should attach great importance to the fundamental role of capacity building in promoting global ocean governance. They should further explore and deepen international cooperation, and take practical actions to enhance the capabilities and levels of developing countries in marine research, environmental protection, and resource utilization. This will ensure that developing countries can effectively participate in global ocean governance and jointly build a blue homeland.
Chairperson,
The Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity under the framework of the Convention came into force on January 17th this year. The implementation of the Agreement is vital to the overall interests of the international community, and a Secretariat that reflects the importance of the Agreement and its future development is needed. China is willing and capable of making significant contributions in this regard. It has nominated Xiamen to host the Secretariat of the Agreement. Xiamen has a rich marine heritage, a developed blue economy, and close maritime cooperation. It is known as the "Seaside Garden City" and is an ideal location for the Secretariat of the Agreement. To date, 90% of the United Nations headquarters agencies and global maritime organizations are located in Europe and North America; none have settled in Asia. Choosing China means choosing a more comprehensive and effective implementation of the Agreement, as well as a more fair and reasonable global governance system. We sincerely appeal to all parties to support this initiative.
Regarding the reiteration of the so-called “South China Sea Arbitration Case” by relevant countries during this meeting, I would like to emphasize that this meeting is not the appropriate place to discuss the South China Sea issue. However, in response to these wrongful claims, the Chinese side must clarify its solemn position.
The “South China Sea Arbitration Case” violates the principle of “state consent”. The arbitration tribunal acted beyond its authority and made wrongful judgments. The decisions made are illegal and invalid. The arbitration case is a political provocation disguised as law, aimed at denying China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea. China has never accepted or recognized this decision. China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea will not be affected by the so-called arbitration award under any circumstances.
Currently, with the joint efforts of China and ASEAN countries, the situation in the South China Sea is generally stable. The Chinese side is working with ASEAN countries to fully and effectively implement the “Declaration on Measures to Be Taken by Parties in the South China Sea,” and is accelerating negotiations on a “Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.” Together, we are committed to making the South China Sea a sea of peace, friendship, and cooperation. We advise relevant countries to stop multilateral speculation and return to the path of resolving disputes related to the South China Sea through bilateral consultations as soon as possible.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
