An international seminar was held in Beijing advocating the legal principles and historical significance of China's recovery of sovereignty over the Nansha Islands.
Saturday's event addressed two main topics: "upholding the post-war order and neighboring countries' claims," and "the history and legal basis of China's recovery of the Nansha Islands."
Over 40 experts and scholars from China, Malaysia, the Philippines, and other countries and regions participated in discussions and exchanges.
Experts and scholars emphasized that China's recovery of sovereignty over the Xisha and Nansha Islands constitutes a fundamental element of the post-war order in the South China Sea and this sovereignty must be firmly upheld.
"By reviewing and discussing the jurisprudential and historical significance of China's recovery of sovereignty over the Nansha Islands, we aim to further promote the legal and historical foundations of China's sovereignty over the Nansha Islands from the perspective of upholding the post-war international order, so as to foster international exchanges and research," said Xu Heyun, deputy director of the China Institute for Marine Development Strategy under the Ministry of Natural Resources.
Participants praised the seminar for providing an opportunity to foster a deeper understanding of the South China Sea issue.
"I think it's very important, precisely because it talks more about the history of the South China Sea. Historical background is important so that we understand and we can analyze better, and then from history we can provide solutions to the conflict," said Anna Rosario Malindog-Uy, vice president and director at the Asian Century Philippines Strategic Studies Institute.
Seminar held on legal principles, history of China's recovery of Nansha Islands
The three astronauts of China's recently-returned Shenzhou-20 mission on Friday shared the experiences of their dramatic 204-day space mission, including detailing the emergency procedures which were implemented to bring them safely home after their return capsule was struck by space debris.
The trio -- Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie -- met with the press in Beijing on Friday afternoon, marking their first public appearance since returning to Earth in November.
When detailing the emergency response mechanisms which were enacted prior to their scheduled return, the astronauts explained that upon discovering a triangular crack on the spacecraft's viewport window, they immediately took photos for documentation and transmitted them to the ground team, who swiftly activated an emergency plan to get the trio home safely.
Experienced mission commander Chen Dong explained how the crew had complete faith in their colleagues on the ground to find a solution to these unforeseen circumstances which led to their return being delayed.
"First, we must trust the ground team, who would anticipate everything and develop the safest return plan for us. Second, we must believe in ourselves; as well-trained astronauts, we have the ability to manage various unexpected failures. I believe that with the collaboration of astronauts and researchers on the ground, our space home will surely go farther, more steadily, and for a longer time," he said.
Following their extended stay in space as a result of the debris incident, the Shenzhou-20 crew spent a total 204 days in orbit, setting a new record for the longest duration by a single group of Chinese astronauts.
During their mission, they completed multiple payload operations, conducted extensive scientific experiments, and carried out four extravehicular activities.
"Our crew worked together with the ground team in unity and coordination, completing four extravehicular activities, several payload entry and exit tasks, and a large number of scientific experiments. It was a fulfilling yet challenging mission. The path to exploring the heavens is long and arduous, but I firmly believe that China's space missions will succeed," said Chen Zhongrui, a former air force pilot who was making his first spaceflight during the mission.
"From the ground to space, from learning to application, I have deeply felt the solid progress of Chinese space endeavors and the quiet dedication of countless personnel behind the scenes. In the future, I will accomplish each mission with full commitment, living up to the trust of the motherland and the people," said fellow astronaut Wang Jie, who was also making his debut spaceflight.
After returning to Earth on Nov 14, the trio successfully completed their isolation recovery and rehabilitation and will now resume normal training following health assessments.
The crew's return, originally scheduled for Nov 5, was postponed due to safety concerns, with the astronauts later using the return capsule belonging to their successor crew of the Shenzhou-21 mission to get back to Earth. China later launched the unmanned Shenzhou-22 spacecraft which will serve the future return of the crew now aboard the Tiangong Space Station.
Shenzhou-20 astronauts share experiences after safely returning from debris incident
