Responding to some remarks on the South China Sea during the East Asia Summit in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, on Thursday, Premier Li Keqiang said that freedom of navigation in the South China Sea has never been an issue and will never be one.

As part of his address to the EAS, Li's response should dispel the unnecessary concerns over freedom of navigation in the South China Sea that have emerged amid China's disputes with some ASEAN member states. That every year about 100,000 cargo ships freely navigate the waters of the South China Sea is clear evidence of freedom of navigation not being an issue.

Freedom of navigation is, therefore, only a pretext used by some countries to raise the South China Sea issue at international forums like the EAS. Such moves are politically motivated and intended to mislead international opinion.