China Review News Agency (CRNA):

We have noticed that while the Chinese mainland was trying to safeguard territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, the Taiwan authorities issued a statement yesterday asserting rights of the territory under international laws and laws of the sea and dismissing the tribunal's decision as not legally binding. What's your response to the statement? What can the two sides across the Taiwan Strait do in the future to safeguard the South China Sea? Thank you.

Liu Zhenmin:

Yesterday, the Taiwan authorities have made it clear that it is opposed to the decision because it encroaches upon the rights of all Chinese people. It is the common duty of people across the Taiwan Strait to safeguard the territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, because this is our territory. The current separation between the two sides across the Strait is caused by historical reasons, but we will reunite sooner or later. So far as the South China Sea is concerned, the two sides have reached a consensus that it is our common duty to safeguard it. There has been extensive communication regarding international law across the Strait. I'm sure the consensus won't change, and I hope we can work hand in hand with our compatriots in Taiwan to safeguard our territory. Thank you.