FM says arbitration may worsen maritime situation

The so-called arbitral ruling has placed the South China Sea "in the dangerous situation of intensifying tension and confrontation", Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned on Tuesday.

The unilaterally-initiated arbitration case is "sheer political farce in the disguise of law", through which the Philippines aimed to offend China's sovereignty and maritime interests, Wang said, adding that China will neither accept nor acknowledge the ruling.

"The attempts of any power to harm or deny China's sovereignty and maritime interests in any form would be futile," he said. "China will not accept any forcibly imposed solutions in sovereignty and issues of maritime interest."

The minister's comments followed the ruling in the case launched by the Philippines against China over the South China Sea. The arbitral tribunal, appointed by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, announced on Tuesday that China has no "historic title" over the South China Sea.

China's sovereignty claims over the South China Sea are based on objective historical facts, with a solid historical and legal basis that could not be influenced by the so-called arbitral ruling, Wang said.

China insisted that the tribunal has no jurisdiction over the case since it is related to sovereignty and security issues.

Wang said that "the temporary" arbitral tribunal, plagued by controversy and injustice, could neither represent international law nor global justice.

"Chinese people will not accept such an arbitration case with numerous loopholes in its evidence and confirmation of facts," he said.

The Foreign Ministry said that more than 60 countries have expressed understanding and support for China's stance over the South China Sea.

Wang said China has noticed that the new government of the Philippines has expressed willingness to restart negotiations and dialogue over maritime disputes, and China is glad to see the sincerity of the new Philippine government to improve bilateral ties with solid action.

In 2002, China and the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations signed the Declaration of Conduct in the South China Sea, which rules that the relevant parties should resolve disputes through peaceful dialogue and negotiation.