The Chinese government vowed to take a “strong position” in response to any force that intends to take the forthcoming award on the arbitral proceedings instituted by the Philippines against China over the maritime jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea as an excuse to do harm to China’s sovereignty and rights and interests. Report from Manila Bulletin.
Department of Treaty and Law of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Director General Xu Hong made this stern pledge in a recent press briefing held in Beijing.
“This is the harshest warning issued yet by a Chinese government official about the possible outcome of the deliberations of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in this matter,” said the report.
“We hope that any party involved will not be hijacked by this arbitration,” Director Xu said.
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