June 12, 2016

"Recently, the Philippines unilaterally initiated and obstinately pushed forward with international arbitral proceedings regarding the dispute with China in the South China Sea, stirring up international controversy. The Chinese government stands firm on its position not to accept or participate in the arbitration. As the Chinese ambassador, I am obliged to elaborate on the legal basis for China's position and the truth of the matter to clear up the confusion.

Unilateral arbitration

First, the unilateral initiation of arbitration by the Philippines is a violation of the agreement with China and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). UNCLOS explicitly stipulates that the state party has the right to seek dispute settlement of its own choice. Actually, China and the Philippines have already reached agreement in joint declaration, joint communique and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) on resolving relevant disputes in the South China Sea through negotiations."

Read more:

http://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2016/06/12/chinas-non-acceptance-of-south-china-sea-arbitration-justifiable-and-lawful/