On 24th May, 2016, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and international relations of The Kingdom of Lesotho published a Statement on the Situation in the South China Sea on its official website. The full text is as follows:
STATEMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF LESOTHO ON THE
SITUATION IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA
i. The Kingdom of Lesotho advocates that the territorial and maritime disputes in the South China Sea should be resolved peacefully through friendly consultations and negotiations, in accordance with bilateral agreements and the Declaration on the Conduct (DOC) of Parties in the South China Sea by Parties directly concerned.
ii. The Kingdom of Lesotho fully respects efforts made by China and the ASEAN countries to safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea, and calls on countries outside the region to play a constructive role to this end.
iii. The Kingdom of Lesotho recognizes that the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the relevant norms of international law, including agreements reached between China and ASEAN countries, constitute a legal basis for solving the disputes mentioned above. The rights of sovereign countries and signatory countries to UNCLOS to choose a dispute settlement approach of their own choice must be respected and followed accordingly.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lesotho
Sealed and Signed
