President Xi Jinping delivers a keynote speech to celebrate the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China in Beijing, on July 1, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]
The ruling in the arbitration case the Philippines unilaterally initiated against China is to be announced on July 12, 2016. China insists the tribunal appointed by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague has no jurisdiction over the issue because it concerns territory and security issues. Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged to safeguard national interests at various occasions. Below are some highlights of Xi's remarks on the South China Sea issue.
July 1, 2016
The Chinese people do not believe in fallacy nor are we afraid of evil forces. Chinese people do not make trouble, but we are not cowards when involved in trouble. No foreign country should expect us to swallow the bitter fruit of damage to our sovereignty, security and development interests.
China will not resort to the threat of force at will, nor will it flaunt its military power on others' doorsteps at the drop of a hat. Flaunting power everywhere will not reflect strength nor will it scare anyone.
A keynote speech to celebrate the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China in Beijing
April 28, 2016
China and ASEAN countries commit to a full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), and negotiations on the code of conduct in the South China Sea (COC). China is willing to work with coastal states of the South China Sea to manage disputes through dialogue mechanism and peacefully resolve the disputes through negotiations and consultations.
Speech at the opening ceremony of the fifth foreign ministers' meeting of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) in Beijing
October 18, 2015
The islands and reefs in the South China Sea are Chinese territory since ancient times. They are left to us by our ancestors. The Chinese people will not allow anyone to infringe on China's sovereignty and related rights and interests in the South China Sea. The South China Sea provides important waterways for China's international commercial exchanges. China needs peace, security and stability in the South China Sea more than any other country. China would not want any turbulence there, still less would it be the party to stir up chaos.
Responds to Reuters interview ahead of Xi's UK state visit
September 25, 2015
The construction activities on the Nansha islands and reefs do not affect or target any other countries, nor with military purpose. The South China Sea has remained stable overall, thanks to the joint efforts of China and coastal states of the South China Sea. Freedom of navigation and aviation has never been a problem and will never be a problem in the future, because first of all China is the one who most needs smooth navigation.
Remarks at a media interview during the US state visit in Washington DC
September 22, 2015
China's development and maintenance of facilities on some of our garrisoned islands and reefs in the Nansha Islands does not impact on or target any other country, and it should not be over interpreted. These facilities have been built to improve the working and living conditions of the Chinese personnel on the maritime features, provide international public goods and services, and better uphold navigation freedom and safety in the South China Sea.
Responds to Wall Street Journal written interview ahead of Xi's US state visit
November 11, 2014
China and the Philippines have maintained a good relationship since the two countries established diplomatic relations. The two sides have also reached some common understanding about how to tackle disputes. Severe difficulties have emerged in the bilateral relationship over recent years because of disputes in the South China Sea. China hopes that the Philippines can return to the previous consensus, meet China halfway and handle relevant disputes in a constructive way, thus paving the way for a healthy development of the relationship.
Remarks during a short conversation with visiting Philippine President Benigno Aquino III on the sidelines of the 22nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting in Beijing
June 27, 2014
China should place national sovereignty and safety in the first place, implement overall national security outlook, carefully organize border management and marine rights protection activities, firmly safeguard territorial sovereignty and marine rights, and build up impregnable fortress to defend the land and sea borders.
Speech in meeting with representatives of the 5th National Land and Sea Border Defense Work Conference in Beijing
May 30, 2014
China cherishes peace and stability of the South China Sea and disapproves of complicating, expanding and internationalizing the disputes. We will not be provocative but will take necessary reactions to the provocative acts of some relevant countries.
Speech in meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing
March 24, 2014
On the issues of the East and South China Sea, the US side ought to adopt an objective and fair attitude, distinguish right from wrong, and do more to push for an appropriate resolution and improve the situation.
Speech in meeting with US President Barack Obama on the sidelines of the third Nuclear Security Summit in the Hague
(来源：《China Daily》 2016年7月6日)