Manila should drop arbitration

In a recent statement on the dispute with the Philippines in the South China Sea, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated China's adherence to the settlement of the disputes through bilateral talks.

It urged the Philippines to immediately stop the unilateral arbitration case it has launched and return to the road of bilateral talks to resolve the South China Sea dispute.

It is widely believed that the Philippines' unilateral arbitration case not only further complicates the South China Sea issue, but also risks bringing its ties with China to a dead end. It is thus sensible for the Philippines to stop the arbitral procedures as early as possible for the sake of bilateral ties.