China rejects U.S. stance on South China Sea

BEIJING, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- China on Tuesday denounced a U.S. State Department document on the South China Sea, urging the U.S. to abide by its commitment not to take sides on the South China Sea issue.

"The document ignores basic facts and international legal principles," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei at a daily press briefing when asked to comment on the document, "Limits in the Seas -- China: Maritime Claims in the South China Sea", issued Friday.

"The United States has violated its commitment of not holding position and not taking sides in the South China Sea issue. Such a move is inconducive to the resolution of the South China Sea disputes and the peace and stability of the South China Sea," Hong said.

China's sovereignty and rights in the South China Sea have been upheld by successive Chinese governments, Hong said.

China has always been committed to resolving territorial disputes with the countries concerned through direct negotiation and friendly consultation on the basis of respecting history and international law, Hong said.

"We urge the United States to abide by its commitment, speak and act cautiously, and view and deal with the issue in a fair and objective way," he said.

外交部：中方敦促美方客观公允地看待和处理南海问题

新华网北京12月9日电（记者朱佳妮）针对美国国务院网站近日发表题为“海洋界限——中国在南中国海的海洋主张”报告，外交部发言人洪磊9日在例行记者会上敦促美方恪守承诺，客观公允地看待和处理南海问题。

洪磊表示，中国在南海的主权和相关权利主张是在长期的历史过程中逐步形成的，并为历代中国政府长期坚持。中国一贯致力于同有关当事国在尊重历史事实和国际法的基础上，通过直接谈判和友好协商，解决南沙群岛部分岛礁领土争议和南海部分海域海洋权益主张重叠问题。　　

洪磊说，美方报告无视基本事实与国际法理，违背其作出的在南海问题上不持立场、不选边站队的承诺，丝毫无助于南海争议的解决和南海地区和平稳定。他说：“中方敦促美方恪守承诺，谨言慎行，客观公允地看待和处理有关问题。”