Beijing won't recognize 'illegal' ruling, envoy says

China will neither recognize nor implement the ruling in the arbitration unilaterally initiated by the Philippines on the South China Sea issue or in any similar arbitration cases, as they are illegal and not based on historical fact, a top Chinese diplomat says.

"I've always regarded this arbitration as poison," says Chinese Ambassador to the United Kingdom Liu Xiaoming, who spoke at a news briefing in London on July 19.

He says China has always respected international law; however, the ruling violated the basic purpose of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, caused further tensions between countries and denied the use of diplomatic channels for negotiations. He says no country would take the ruling seriously or feel encouraged by it to make further claims.

"If new claims are made based upon this ruling, they will be regarded as new illegal actions that will further endanger regional peace," he says.

The arbitral tribunal appointed by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled on July 12 that China has no "historic title" over the South China Sea.

Liu reiterated the Chinese government's commitment to resolving disputes through direct negotiations, but he says its national sovereignty and maritime interests will not be influenced under any circumstances by The Hague ruling. He says the ruling should not be taken as the basis for future negotiation.

He urged the Philippines to consider with regard to its so-called allies that "superpowers come and go, but neighbors are more important because you have to live with them in the region".

Nearly 1,000 people from the Chinese community in the United Kingdom gathered in front of the Philippine and US embassies in London on July 16 to protest the tribunal's ruling and show support for the Chinese government.

Contact the writers through liwensha@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily Africa Weekly 07/22/2016 page15)