UNITED NATIONS, June 17 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese UN envoy on Monday called for maintaining the "vigor and vitality" of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea at a commemoration of its 25th anniversary.
Wu Haitao, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, made three proposals for achieving this goal at the meeting of the state parties to the treaty.
Wu stressed the need to uphold the purposes and principles of the convention, saying "we need to maintain peace and tranquility in seas and oceans, and strive for equitable, effective, and sustainable use of marine resources."
He said special consideration should be given to the interest and needs of developing countries in promoting marine development and prosperity and facilitating the realization of sustainable development goals in the area of seas and oceans.
He also called for bona fide, accurate and holistic interpretation and application of the convention, for which "we should respect the will of the state parties as reflected in the convention, abide by the principle of state consent, maintain the important role of negotiation and consultation in resolving disputes, and promote proper settlement of maritime disputes."
"For matters not covered by the convention, the rules and principles of general international law should continue to be followed," he added.
In addition, Wu said the international community should continuously improve the international system of ocean governance underpinned by the convention.
In this regard, he added, affirmed commitment is needed to uphold multilateralism, to vigorously advance global ocean governance, and on the basis of practices and consensus of states, to formulate and implement new rules in a progressive manner.
Stressing that China attaches importance to the convention, the Chinese envoy said over the years, China has been implementing the convention in good faith, constructively participating in the formulation of relevant rules.
China has also continuously provided funds, personnel and logistical assistance in support of the convention bodies as well as developing countries in their capacity building and ocean-related development endeavors, Wu noted.
"China will continue to firmly support the purpose and objectives of the convention, strengthen international exchanges and cooperation, and provide more ocean-related public goods to the international community in an unremitting effort toward building a maritime community with a shared future," he said.
