Skip to main content

Written question asked by Andrew Rosindell (Conservative) on Tuesday, 25 March 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 27 March 2025. It was answered by Catherine West (Labour) on Tuesday, 1 April 2025 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.


Disputed Territories: South China Sea

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the People's Republic of China's Nine-dash line in the South China Sea on the maritime sovereignty of Commonwealth nations.

Answer

We are concerned about China's excessive maritime claims in the South China Sea, which have been ruled inconsistent with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The UK opposes any maritime claims which are not founded in UNCLOS. We take no sides in sovereignty disputes but we encourage parties to settle disputes peacefully through existing legal mechanisms, particularly UNCLOS.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
41015
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Territorial waters Disputed territories South China Sea
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk