China won't join arbitration hearing in The Hague this week on sea feud with the Philippines
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}In this July 3, 2015, file photo, protesters carry a boat painted with slogans during a rally outside the Chinese Consulate at the financial district of Makati city, east of Manila, Philippines, to protest China's reclamations of disputed islands off South China Sea. China is standing pat on its decision to reject arbitration by an international tribunal that will begin formal hearings this week to resolve a long-seething feud with the Philippines over the South China Sea, Beijing's ambassador to Manila said Monday, July 6, 2015. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) (The Associated Press)
The Chinese ambassador says Beijing has stood pat in its decision to reject international arbitration to resolve a disagreement with the Philippines over the South China Sea.
An international tribunal in The Hague will start formal hearings Tuesday to address China's contention that the five-member arbitration body does not have authority to assume jurisdiction over Manila's complaint against Beijing.
Ambassador Zhao Jianhua told reporters Monday that Beijing would stick to its decision not to participate in arbitration and instead renewed China's offer to resolve the conflict through one-on one-negotiation with the Philippines.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}In its complaint, the Philippines has asked the tribunal to declare China's claims to much of the South China Sea as invalid under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.