Neighbors can manage their differences

The arbitration case initiated by the Philippines concerning the South China Sea is in essence about repudiating China's territorial rights and maritime interests in the waters, and putting a gloss on its illegal occupation of reefs and islets of China's Nansha Islands.

The recent award issued by the arbitral tribunal is fraught with procedural faults and unfounded "evidence", and thus makes no difference to China's stance of non-participation, non-acceptance, and non-recognition, as well as its legal presence in the South China Sea.

That China refuses to hold talks with any other country based on the illegitimate ruling is in line with international law and practices, which require all parties concerned to exercise restraint before their disputes are resolved.