China firmly opposes joint patrols in the South China Sea conducted by the Philippines, the United States and Australia, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian at a press briefing in Beijing on Thursday.
"The current situation in the South China Sea is generally stable. Countries enjoy the freedom of navigation and overflight there in accordance with the law, and there is no problem with that. In carrying out activities in the South China Sea, all countries should observe international law and act in the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC) in the South China Sea, and should not target any third countries or endanger regional peace and stability," Lin said.
"The Philippines has violated international law and the DOC and frequently made infringements and provocations and made troubles at sea, enticing and acting in concert with forces outside the region to mess up and flex muscles in the South China Sea. It is reconciled to make itself a chess piece of others and in the end it will swallow the bitter result it has made on its own. The United States and other countries outside the region have constantly cobbled small cliques in the South China Sea, stoking confrontation in the name of cooperation, flexing muscles in the name of freedom, and sowing chaos in the name of order. They are the utmost source of risk undermining peace and stability in the South China Sea," said Lin.
"China always firmly safeguards its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests and is resolutely committed to working with other countries in the region to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea. China advises relevant countries to cease forming cliques and stirring up troubles in the South China Sea and stop undermining regional peace and stability," he said.
Spokesman condemns joint patrols in South China Sea
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Monday called for advancing full and rigorous Party self-governance with higher standards and more concrete measures.
Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks while addressing the fifth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) in Beijing.
Xi urged efforts to confine power to an institutional cage in a more well-conceived and effective manner, and press ahead with the anti-corruption fight with a clearer understanding and stronger resolve, thus providing a strong guarantee for achieving the goals and tasks of the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030).
Xi pointed out that in 2025, the CPC Central Committee had intensified efforts to improve Party conduct, uphold integrity and combat corruption, achieving notable results. Xi said efforts were made to maintain a tough stance against corruption and eradicate the breeding grounds and conditions for corruption.
Xi emphasized that implementing the major decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee is a fundamental requirement for upholding its authority and its centralized, unified leadership.
Party organizations at all levels and Party members and officials should implement the decisions and plans of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee with concrete actions, he said.
Xi noted that confining power to an institutional cage is an important task in exercising full and rigorous Party self-governance.
He stressed that all are equal before the law and regulations, that compliance with them admits no privilege, and that enforcement of the law and regulations allows no exception.
Xi underscored that the fight against corruption is a major struggle that the Party cannot afford to lose, and must never lose.
He said that the current anti-corruption situation remains grave and complex, and that the task of eliminating the soil and conditions breeding corruption remains arduous. Xi added that it is essential to maintain a firm stance to leave corrupt officials with no place to hide.
Stressing the need to stay attuned to new trends and features of corruption, Xi urged efforts to innovate methods and approaches, promptly detect and accurately identify corrupt practices, and effectively address all forms of corruption, so as to continuously enhance the penetrating power of anti-corruption efforts.
He also urged strengthening coordination among all forms of oversight to advance integrated governance through whole-process collaboration, and called for sustained efforts to forge a loyal, upright and responsible disciplinary inspection and supervision force that dares to and is good at fighting against corruption.
Members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi and Ding Xuexiang attended the meeting.
Li Xi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and secretary of the CCDI, presided over the meeting. On Monday afternoon, on behalf of the standing committee of the CCDI, Li also delivered a work report.
Xi urges advancing Party self-governance with higher standards, more concrete measures
