Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Xie Feng on Thursday stressed upholding the principles and spirit of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in his keynote report at a conference to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the opening for signature of the Convention.

Noting accurately applying the dispute settlement mechanism of the UNCLOS, he highlighted that the parties to a dispute are the owners of the dispute settlement procedures. 

"Only when the procedures are approved and accepted by the parties concerned, can they be truly effective in settling the dispute," he said.

In his report, Xie emphasized the importance of accurately interpreting and applying UNCLOS "in its entirety and in good faith", and giving balanced consideration to the UNCLOS, other maritime treaties and general international law.

He also highlighted China's role in fully and faithfully implementing the UNCLOS, saying that the country has proved itself "an active participant, builder and contributor" to the Convention and its mechanisms.

The UNCLOS negotiations were the first major international legislative process China took part in after the restoration of its lawful seat at the United Nations. China was one of the first countries that signed UNCLOS in December 1982, and ratified the Convention in 1996, giving a strong boost to its conclusion and entry-into-force, according to Xie.

Accurately applying the dispute settlement mechanism of UNCLOS is another key point highlighted by Xie.

"The Convention's original goal of upholding the interests of mankind as a whole, oppose the distortion and abuse of UNCLOS, reject the practice of double standards and selective application, and discard the mindset of 'might is right'," he said. 

He also mentioned the role of the Convention in settling disputes in the South China Sea during an interview with the China Media Group at the conference.

"It is China's consistent position that maritime disputes should be settled by the states directly concerned through negotiation and consultation on the basis of respecting historical facts and international law," he said, adding that this is in line with the Convention, and is also the successful experience of the majority of countries. 

"It is the most effective way to peacefully settle maritime disputes," he said.

The vice foreign minister also refuted the U.S. accusing China of violating the Convention and keeping ramping up the so-called "freedom of navigation operations" in the South China Sea.

"The so-called 'freedom of navigation operations' of the U.S. are actually intended to boycott UNCLOS regimes, maintain U.S. maritime hegemony, and allow its warships and military flights to continue having their way without restraint on the sea," Xie said.

"China's position and claims concerning the South China Sea have solid historical and legal grounds. There has never been and will never be any problem with the freedom of navigation in the South China Sea," he added.