China’s Rejection of South China Sea Arbitration Is Lawful and Justifiable

While China’s action falls within common international legal practice, Manila’s unilateral pursuit of its claims violates the rule and spirit of its agreements with Beijing on how to resolve such disputes, and threatens the peaceful order of the region. China and other claimants are all developing countries with economic and social uplift as their main task, and should settle their disputes with direct negotiation as outlined in ASEAN agreements.

Wang Hanling Director of National Center for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1TKvVhS