China's Foreign Ministry has released a statement on the arbitration. The ministry says the tribunal's decision is null and void, and has no binding force. China neither accepts nor recognizes it.

The statement says the initiation of the arbitration violated international law. It says the subject of the arbitration is an issue of territorial sovereignty; the Philippines' unilateral initiation of arbitration infringes upon China's rights, and violates the bilateral agreement reached between China and the Philippines.

The statement also says the arbitration violates the commitment made by China and ASEAN Member States in the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea to resolve the relevant disputes through negotiations by states directly concerned. The statement says China opposes and will never accept any claim or action based on those awards.

The Chinese government reiterates that China does not accept any means of third party dispute settlement or any solution imposed on China. And the Chinese government will continue to abide by international law, and continue to work with states directly concerned to resolve disputes in the South China Sea through negotiations and consultations.