China's stance on South China Sea wins more international backing

Mozambique, Burundi and Slovenia voiced their support to China's stance on the South China Sea issue, as the ruling of an arbitration case the Philippines unilaterally filed against China over maritime disputes is approaching.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said on Thursday that China "highly appreciates" their support and their upholding of international equality and justice during a news conference in Beijing.

A joint statement China and Mozambique issued on Wednesday during Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi's visit to China shows that Mozambique supports China in solving territorial and maritime disputes through friendly negotiation with countries directly involved.

The government of Burundi expressed similar views recently, Hong said.

Among other things, the Burundi government called for countries involved in the South China Sea disputes to exercise restraint, and for legal or arbitral institutions to interpret and apply correctly declarations of optional exceptions countries have made according to Article 298 of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Also according to Hong, a representative of Slovenia's ruling party, the Modern Center Party, said in Beijing that Slovenia completely understands and supports the Chinese government's stance on the issue of the South China Sea arbitration case, and hopes countries involved will peacefully solve their disputes through negotiation.