Beijing slams Philippines over South China Sea court application
Hong Lei speaks at a press briefing in Beijing, Nov. 16, 2013. (Photo/CNS)
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei on Wednesday urged the Philippines to "stop wrongdoing" on the South China Sea dispute.
According to media reports, the Philippines will formally submit the territorial dispute over islands and reefs in the maritime region to the international court of justice in the coming days.
Hong told a routine press briefing that China, which claims the South China Sea in its entirety within a designated "nine-dash line," will neither accept the unilateral action of the Philippines nor be present at the international arbitration.
China's stance is in line with international law, he said.
Hong urged the Philippines to be fully aware of the complexity and sensitivity of the South China Sea dispute and come back to the right track of negotiations and consultations as soon as possible so as to avoid further harming bilateral relations.
China's determination to safeguard sovereignty and territorial integrity is unswerving, the spokesman added.
Other claimants to islands in the South China Sea, in addition to the Philippines, include Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei.
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