China slams UK over joint statement on South China Sea

China firmly opposes and strongly condemns a joint statement issued by the United Kingdom and other countries 10 years after the so-called "South China Sea Arbitration Award," China's embassy in the UK said on Sunday.

A spokesperson for the embassy said the statement disregarded the basic facts of the South China Sea and endorsed the "award," which is illegal, null and void, challenged China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, and disrupted regional peace and stability.

The spokesperson added that the so-called "arbitration" violated fundamental principles of international law and contravened the integrity and authority of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. 

China has stated from the outset that it does not accept or recognize the "award," and nor will China accept any claim or action based on it, the spokesperson said.

"The UK is not a party to the South China Sea issue and is in no position to make irresponsible remarks on China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, " the spokesperson added.