The year 2026 marks the 5th anniversary of the establishment of the China-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and a crucial year for China and ASEAN countries to conclude the COC.

Over the past decade, the negative impact of the "South China Sea Arbitration Award" has continued to spill over, being used by a few regional countries as a legal "creed" for their infringing actions. The United States and other countries from outside the region, as the behind-the-scenes instigators of the "arbitration," have frequently hyped up and sensationalized the illegal award.

China's position has been consistent: In response to the Philippines' abuse of the UNCLOS dispute settlement mechanism and its disregard for China's long-standing position of resolving disputes by managing differences through negotiation and consultation and its unilateral initiation of the arbitration, the Chinese government has adhered to a policy of "non-acceptance and non-participation." The Chinese government will not recognize the "award" made by the "Arbitral Tribunal," or accept any claims or actions based on it. China will firmly safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights, insist on direct negotiation and consultation with the concerned parties to resolve disputes, work with ASEAN countries to jointly maintain maritime peace and stability and promote South China Sea cooperation, build the COC into a solid institutional foundation for managing differences, and strive to make the South China Sea a sea of peace, friendship, and cooperation.