Full coverage: The South China Sea Issue

China's ambassador to Germany Shi Mingde has also reiterated Beijing's stance of neither participating in or accepting the arbitration by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague. He also said the arbitration on the case initiated by the Philippines is deemed illegal and is therefore null and void. 

"The arbitral tribunal has no jurisdiction over the arbitration unilaterally initiated by the Philippines. So we will not accept any ruling from the tribunal. I want to emphasize that China will not accept any solution or settlement involving a third party about China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights. China will not accept any solution imposed on it," he said.