China upholds freedom of navigation rather than freedom to sail at will, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday.

He made the remarks during the opening ceremony of the international symposium to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the signature of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Wang urged the international community to solve maritime disputes with peaceful ways and to maintain peace in the sea instead of showing off force in the ocean.

China insists on promoting the sustainable development of the oceans, deepen practical cooperation at sea, promote the UN sustainable development goals, and make the oceans an inexhaustible driving force for the sustainable development of all countries, he said.

Wang advocated international cooperation and guard of the marine ecological environment. The international community should adhere to the concept of green development, promote global cooperation in marine environmental protection, and jointly build a blue sea and blue sky for future generations, he said.

"We must adhere to the international rule of law and improve global ocean governance. We should interpret and apply the Convention completely, accurately and in good faith, and develop and improve international ocean rules that are fair and reasonable and stand the test of history and practice," Wang said.

China has always abided by the spirit of the Convention, strictly fulfilled its obligations, firmly safeguarded the integrity and authority of the Convention, and opposed the abuse of the dispute settlement procedures under the Convention, he said.

China has always advocated the settlement of maritime disputes by direct parties through friendly dialogues on the basis of respect for historical facts and international law, including the Convention, Wang added.

The international symposium to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the signature of the UNCLOS was co-organized by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Natural Resources. UN Under-Secretary-General and Legal Counsel Miguel de serpa Soares also attended the opening ceremony by video.