China to US: Tribunal on disputed sea a ‘farce’

By Mahmut Atanur

BEIJING (AA) – China’s foreign minister has reiterated in a phone conversation with United States Secretary of State John Kerry that Beijing will not recognize an upcoming ruling by an international court on the disputed South China Sea.

Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported Thursday that Wang Yi also called on the U.S. to “honor its commitment” by avoiding taking sides on matters concerning sovereign disputes, and not engaging in any actions that “infringe upon the sovereignty and security interests of China”.

On July 12, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague is due to rule in a case filed against China by the Philippines -- among the U.S. allies that have been expressing alarm over China’s maritime expansion in the Sea, which they suspect is aimed at extending its military reach.

During Wednesday’s conversation with Kerry, Wang described the arbitration process as a “farce” ridden with “illogical and flawed application of procedures, laws and evidences".

"Therefore, the arbitral tribunal which clearly has been expanding and over-stretching its jurisdiction beyond the limit has no jurisdiction at all [over the South China Sea disputes]," Wang said. "Any award it makes in disregard of the laws and facts is naturally not legally binding."

Xinhua quoted Kerry as saying that Washington understands that Beijing has its own stance on the arbitration and underlining that both sides share “common interests” in the maintenance of peace and stability in the sea’s region.

Kerry expressed hope that any disputes would be addressed peacefully through diplomacy with all stakeholders practicing restraint.

China has insisted that issues relating to sovereignty and maritime delimitation are subject to third-party arbitration.

China claims around 90 percent of the Sea -- one of the world's busiest shipping lanes believed to be sitting atop huge oil and gas deposits -- but Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also consider some of the waters, islands and reefs in the area to be their territory.

Territorial claims are normally the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), but the ICJ only entertains cases if all parties in the dispute participate.