China Seeks ‘Fair’ South China Sea Order as It Rejects 2016 Ruling

China urges ASEAN cooperation to ease South China Sea disputes while rejecting a 2016 arbitration ruling and facing new tensions.
China’s Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong in Manila on March 24, 2023. China urges ASEAN cooperation to ease South China Sea disputes while rejecting a 2016 arbitration ruling and facing new tensions. (Francis R. Malasig/Pool/AFP)

China’s vice-foreign minister told a major forum on Wednesday that Beijing wants to ease disputes with Southeast Asian neighbours in the South China Sea and build a “fair and just” maritime order.

At the same time, China is still rejecting a key international legal ruling against its claims and is facing a fresh confrontation with the Philippines at sea.

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by Edwin Shri Bimo

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