China's permanent mission to the United Nations has accused the United States of undermining peace in the South China Sea, calling Washington's military activities a direct challenge to regional security. Geng Shuang, charge d'affaires of China's UN mission, made the remarks during a Security Council debate on maritime security, countering U.S. representative Dorothy Shea's criticisms of China's policies.
"The United States has frequently sent military vessels to flex its muscles under the banner of freedom of navigation, openly stirring confrontation," Geng stated, emphasizing that China and ASEAN countries have maintained generally stable conditions through dialogue. He dismissed the 2016 South China Sea Arbitration ruling as "illegal and invalid," reaffirming China's commitment to resolving disputes through international law and historical frameworks.
The envoy also addressed U.S. comments on Taiwan, urging adherence to the one-China principle: "We have the determination to build the South China Sea into a sea of peace and cooperation." Geng contrasted U.S. remarks with other Security Council members' focus on constructive maritime security cooperation, calling for a "shared future" approach to ocean governance.
