Tribunal null and void from the beginning

The Hague-based arbitral tribunal on Tuesday passed its ruling on the case unilaterally brought by the Philippines in its dispute with China in the South China Sea, but China remains firm on its stance of "non-acceptance, non-recognition and non-compliance". There is enough reason for China to do so, because the ruling, along with the arbitration, is null and void and thus not binding.

Floods expose poor river management

The floods in South and Central China continue making headlines. Photographs of soldiers trying to protect embankments against the floods have been splashed across newspapers. But the cameras seem to be trained on the main stream of the Yangtze River. The threat from the Yangtze is real yet the cameras (and reports) should not ignore the dangers posed by small and medium-sized rivers.

ASEM is expected to return to its original purpose

The Asia-Europe Meeting, whose 11th edition will be held in Ulan Bator, Mongolia, on Wednesday, should review its experiences and chart the direction for further development. As the largest inter-governmental cooperative mechanism between Asia and Europe, ASEM has made noticeable achievements since its establishment in 1996. Its members have increased from 26 to 53 and its influence has extended from Northeast, Central, Southeast and South Asia to large parts of Europe and Oceania.

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Japan trying old tricks to target China

On July 1, the first day of Japan's one-month presidency of the 15-member United Nations Security Council, Japanese Ambassador to the UN Koro Bessho voiced "deep concern" about maritime disputes between China and some of its neighbors. He also said the Security Council would take up issues on the request of its members or other UN members. This shows Japan's eagerness to raise the so-called South China Sea issue on the international stage.

Talk reports underline US has own agenda

The United States and some of its allies are already eying Tuesday as a day of triumph, as they believe the Arbitral Tribunal in the South China Sea arbitration will rule against China in a case unilaterally brought by the Philippines over their South China Sea dispute. Much fanfare can be expected should the farce directed by Washington finally reach the climax it anticipates.

Japan's Constitution in jeopardy

The victory of the ruling coalition led by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Japan's upper house election on Sunday may pose a threat to regional stability, as it could give Abe enough power to put Japan's postwar pacifist Constitution in jeopardy.

Stronger regulations can help meet people's expectations for safe food

YUE GUOJUN, an academician with the Chinese Academy of Engineering, was recently reported as saying the country now enjoys its best-ever food safety. His words provoked widespread criticism online. Beijing News comments:

Bid to eliminate false and misleading online ads

THE STATE ADMINISTRATION for Industry and Commerce released a new internet advertising regulation on Friday, which for the first time makes clear that all pay-for-performance searches are advertising. The regulation will take effect on Sept 1. Southern Metropolis Daily commented on Monday:

Some officials seek attention at any cost

ZHOU JULONG, Party chief of Zongyang county, East China's Anhui province, received a severe warning because he disobeyed an order not to use a main road when leading a flood control team. The Beijing Times commented on Monday:

Tribunal ruling not to have impact on China

The Arbitral Tribunal in the South China Sea arbitration will pass its ruling on July 12 on a case filed by the Philippines against China over a dispute in the South China Sea. Anticipating an unfavorable ruling, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei reiterated on Friday that Beijing will not accept it no matter how much diplomatic pressure is put on it.

New EU-China economic cooperation agenda

Together with the top European Union leadership, I will be in China on July 12-13 to participate in 18th EU-China Summit. I was in Beijing at the end of April and in the past three weeks my fellow commissioners in charge of transport, energy and climate change, and trade have all made high-level visits. The EU's new China strategy, released on June 22, will guide bilateral relations for the coming years.