China today reasserted its claims over the South China Sea and accused the Philippines of illegally occupying its territory. The State Council Information Office issued a white paper in this regard titled ‘China Adheres to the Position of Settling Through Negotiation the Relevant Disputes Between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea.’
A United Nations-backed tribunal had recently struck down China’s claims over the territory. The Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration had said, China violated the Philippines’ sovereign rights. Philippines had filed the petition before the court.
US has said, the ruling should be treated as final and binding and should not be a reason to raise tensions.
India has asked all parties involved in the row to resolve the dispute through peaceful means without threat or use of force and show utmost respect to the verdict.