UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 9 -- China stands ready to promote the creation of a harmonious ocean together with other nations, said a Chinese envoy to the UN on Monday.

"Issues related to oceans and the law of the sea have attracted more attention from the international society this year," said Liu Jieyi, China's permanent representative to the UN, at a UN General Assembly meeting on Oceans and the Law of the Sea.

"China is ready to further promote the construction of a harmonious ocean together with other nations," said Liu, adding that based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and other international laws, China will work to contribute to the peace, security and openness of oceans.

Liu said that China highly commends the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) for its contribution to a balanced handling of the legitimate rights and interests of coastal states and the overall interests of the international community.

Liu also said China supports the commission in continuing to fulfill its mandate in accordance with the convention and its rules of procedure, particularly in accordance with Annex I, which states, "In cases where a land or maritime dispute exists, the commission shall not consider and qualify a submission made by any of the states concerned in the dispute," so as to maintain the quality and professionalism of its consideration of submissions.

On the role of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), Liu said that China supports the important role the tribunal plays in the peaceful settlement of maritime disputes, the maintenance of international maritime order, and the dissemination of the law of the sea.

He also pointed out that China believes that neither the convention nor the tribunal statute confirm the advisory competence upon the full bench of the ITLOS.

"We hope that the tribunal will take into full consideration the concerns of various parties and deal with Case No. 21 involving the South China Sea cautiously in order to ensure the legitimacy and authority of its work," Liu stressed.

Liu also talked about China's position on seabed resources, marine biodiversity, global ocean environment assessment and fishery.