China's embassy in the Philippines spokesman Ji Lingpeng criticized recent
remarks by Poland's foreign ministry secretary of state Bartoszewski that China
must comply with the 2016 South China Sea arbitral award and that Poland
supports the Philippines. Ji said China's position is consistent: the 2016 award
violates principles of state consent and the UN Convention on the Law of the
Sea, contradicts basic facts in the South China Sea, and is illegal, invalid and
non‑binding. China does not accept or recognize the award, opposes any claims or
actions based on it, and urged Poland— which it said is not a party to the
dispute— to respect China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights, act
cautiously and stop endorsing the illegal award.
