China lodges solemn representation to Philippines over S China Sea dispute

Chinese vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin on Monday lodged solemn representation to Philippine Ambassador to China Erlinda Basilio over the formal plea the Philippines filed to an international tribunal on South China Sea dispute on Sunday.

China expressed strong dissatisfaction at and firm opposition to the Philippine side over the international arbitration it pushed forward unilaterally disregarding China's stern stance, said Liu.

"China's stance of neither accepting nor participating in the international arbitration does not change and will not change, " said Liu.

Forcing the international arbitration is inconducive to the settlement of the dispute on the South China Sea, said Liu.

"The move will not change the fact that China has sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and adjacent waters, nor will it shake the Chinese government's will and resolution to safeguard territorial sovereignty, maritime rights and interests, "he said.

It will not affect China's policy and practice in solving the South China Sea disputes, he added, namely solving disputes through direct talks.

Liu urged the Philippine side to correct its mistake, take bilateral ties and the general picture of peace and stability of the South China Sea into consideration, comprehensively and effectively implement the consensus that has been repeatedly confirmed by both sides and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), and come back to the right track of bilateral negotiations.

The Philippines sent a ship to the Ren'ai Reef on Saturday with journalists on board, and on Sunday filed a formal plea with an international tribunal.

Liu also lodged representations with the Philippine side over the trip to the reef.

He stressed that China will never allow the Philippines to occupy the Ren'ai Reef in any form or succeed in building facilities there, urging it to stop all provocation.

The Philippines grounded a warship near the Ren'ai Reef in the South China Sea in 1999 and has refused to retrieve the ship.

In a recent statement, the Philippine side claimed that the stranded warship had served as a permanent installation since 1999.

The Philippines has also repeatedly attempted to deliver construction materials to build on the reef to intensify and expand its military presence.