Contents

Introduction

I. Nanhai Zhudao are China's Inherent Territory

i. China's sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao is established in the course of history

ii. China has always been resolute in upholding its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea

iii. China's sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao is widely acknowledged in the international community

II. Origin of the Relevant Disputes Between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea

i. The Philippines' invasion and illegal occupation caused disputes with China over some islands and reefs of Nansha Qundao

ii. The Philippines' illegal claim has no historical or legal basis

iii. The development of the international law of the sea gave rise to the dispute between China and the Philippines over maritime delimitation

III. China and the Philippines Have Reached Consensus on Settling Their Relevant Disputes in the South China Sea

i. It is the consensus and commitment of China and the Philippines to settle through negotiation their relevant disputes in the South China Sea

ii. It is the consensus of China and the Philippines to properly manage relevant disputes in the South China Sea

IV. The Philippines Has Repeatedly Taken Moves that Complicate the Relevant Disputes

i. The Philippines attempts to entrench its illegal occupation of some islands and reefs of China's Nansha Qundao

ii. The Philippines has increasingly intensified its infringement of China's maritime rights and interests

iii. The Philippines also has territorial pretensions on China's Huangyan Dao

iv. The Philippines' unilateral initiation of arbitration is an act of bad faith

V. China's Policy on the South China Sea Issue

i. On the territorial issues concerning Nansha Qundao

ii. On maritime delimitation in the South China Sea

iii. On the ways and means of dispute settlement

iv. On managing differences and engaging in practical maritime cooperation in the South China Sea

v. On freedom and safety of navigation in the South China Sea

vi. On jointly upholding peace and stability in the South China Sea

Introduction

1. Situated to the south of China's mainland, and connected by narrow straits and waterways with the Pacific Ocean to the east and the Indian Ocean to the west, the South China Sea is a semi-closed sea extending from northeast to southwest. To its north are the mainland and Taiwan Dao of China, to its south Kalimantan Island and Sumatra Island, to its east the Philippine Islands, and to its west the Indo-China Peninsula and the Malay Peninsula.

2. China's Nanhai Zhudao (the South China Sea Islands) consist of Dongsha Qundao (the Dongsha Islands), Xisha Qundao (the Xisha Islands), Zhongsha Qundao (the Zhongsha Islands) and Nansha Qundao (th