Forum questions Arbitral Tribunal's ruling over islands

Conflict is not the way to solve territorial problems, and working together, building trust and friendship, developing mutually beneficial economic activities is the way to move forward, said Tung Chee-hwa, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and former chief executive of the Hong Kong SAR.

Addressing the Public International Law Colloquium on Maritime Disputes Settlement on Friday in Hong Kong, Tung said the decision issued in The Hague on Tuesday is not only incorrect but also complicates the situation and may lead the region to a crisis of enormous consequence.

The two-day event is the first major international forum held after the Arbitral Tribunal appointed by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled on Tuesday in favor of the Philippines in a South China Sea arbitration case it unilaterally filed against China.