Full coverage: The South China Sea Issue

China's refusal to accept the arbitration initiated by the Philippines on the South China Sea conforms to international law. China's Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenming says in an article that China has sufficient historical and legal basis to claim sovereignty over the South China Sea. It is protected by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

He says the arbitration is a political farce in the name of law and justice. He added that the tribunal's decision to hear the Philippines' case is an abuse of power. The arbitration has disrupted the peaceful dialogue mechanism and aggravated tensions. He also says the result from a court without jurisdiction and impartiality will bear no binding force.