Shenzhen TV:

The public opinion now is that the ruling on the South China Sea arbitration is nothing more than a piece of waste paper. However, if relevant countries actually followed what is said on this piece of waste paper, how would China react, Minister Liu?

Liu Zhenmin:

As a principle in international law states, "Ex injuria jus non oritur," i.e., a legal right or entitlement cannot arise from an unlawful act. According to that, any verdict which is null and void will be impossible to execute nor have any binding force. The ruling here, which is nothing more than a piece of waste paper, will not be enforced by anyone either. I think the relevant littoral countries around the South China Sea and those countries outside the South China Sea should be aware of this. Therefore, any country that would like to carry out their activities according to the ruling will be committing new illegal acts, and the Chinese government will take the necessary measures to stop them. We hope that all countries' activities, conduct and claims in the South China Sea will return to the state they were in before the arbitration award. We should settle disputes through negotiation and manage disputes and share benefits through cooperation. This ruling cannot be enforced. Thank you.

Guo Weimin:

Many foreign senior government officials, including those who support and encourage the arbitration, also believe that the award will not be effective. They've expressed their thoughts on different occasions, wishing China to exercise restraint and expecting the issue to end there. In fact, it is widely accepted that the ruling is nothing more than a piece of waste paper and that it will have no legal effect and cannot be enforced. Now you may continue to ask questions.