China repeats rejection of S. China Sea arbitration case

From CNN Philippines (Oct 30): China repeats rejection of S. China Sea arbitration case



(File photo) Civilians march through Tiananmen to celebrate the 60th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China.

A senior Chinese diplomat repeated on Friday (October 30) that China would neither participate in nor accept a case at an arbitration court in the Netherlands over the disputed South China Sea.

"China's stance has always been very clear that we do not participate and do not accept (the arbitration case). Between China and Philippines, we and all successive governments of the Philippines have reached many consensuses on the issue of South China Sea, which is to resolve the disputes between the two countries through dialogue and consultation," Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin told reporters at a news briefing in Beijing.

Liu also said China believes that the Philippines unilaterally presenting the case without China's authorization is "not a good will method to resolve the dispute."

"This ruling was an inappropriate ruling made ignoring China's rights. From this ruling you can see that the Philippines' aim in pursuing the arbitration is not to resolve the dispute. Its aim is to deny China's rights in the South China Sea and affirm its own rights in the South China Sea. This is not an approach to resolve the dispute," he said.

"Of course China is not afraid, because we think that from when the arbitration was first raised to now being carried out, it hasn't been out of a good will. It's possible there is a political plot behind. We cannot foresee what kind of political farce it would develop to. I think we will observe (how it develops). I don't believe this arbitration will have a good outcome," he added.

Liu said the case will not affect China's sovereign claims in the seas.

The court in The Hague ruled on Thursday (October 29) it has jurisdiction to hear some territorial claims the Philippines has filed against China over disputed areas in the South China Sea.

http://cnnphilippines.com/world/2015/10/30/China-repeats-rejection-of-S.-China-Sea-arbitration-case.html