China reiterates non-acceptance of south China Sea arbitration

China on Tuesday reiterated that it will not accept the results of third-party settlements of territorial disputes in the South China Sea, as an international tribunal in the Hague finished hearing a case lodged by the Philippines.

"China has on several occasions stated that the Arbitral Tribunal established at the request of the Philippines has no jurisdiction over the case," said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying after a routine press briefing.

China will neither accept nor participate in the arbitration, she said.

"The Philippines' unilateral move was political provocation in legal clothing, not an attempt to solve disputes but to deny China's sovereignty and maritime interests in the South China Sea," Hua said.

"With regard to territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, China will not accept any solution imposed on it or any unilateral resort to a third-party dispute settlement."

This is China's right as a sovereign state and a party to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, according to the spokesperson.

The Philippines filed an arbitration case at an international tribunal in The Hague in early 2013.

China has refused to be involved in the proceedings, maintaining that the rows should be settled by the countries directly involved through consultation and negotiation.

Sources: XINHUA