China: We have legal evidence to reject arbitration

MANILA, Philippines — China on Tuesday reiterated that it will not participate in the arbitration case filed by the Philippines before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Netherlands.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong Lei stressed that China has adequate international legal evidence to not accept nor participate in the arbitration case in connection to the South China Sea dispute.

"This stance is clear and consistent. The essence of the China-Philippines dispute over the South China Sea is the dispute over territorial sovereignty and marine demarcation," Hong said in a press conference in Beijing.

This statement comes after Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario calls on China to respect the forthcoming decision of the international tribunal.

"If China does not heed our collective call, does it mean that China considers itself above the law?" Del Rosario said in a statement released on Monday.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi earlier accused the Philippines of "political provocation" by seeking arbitration without its consent.

Del Rosario, however, said that the Philippines has been inviting China as early as 2012 to join the arbitration.

Beijing has repeatedly refused to participate in the proceedings, stressing "indisputable sovereignty" in the disputed sea.

The international tribunal under the United Nations is expected to issue a decision on the case between the Philippines and China by May.