Full coverage: The South China Sea Issue

The Chinese Foreign Ministry has reiterated its position on the South China Sea issue, stating that the tribunal has no legal right to settle the dispute, and that Beijing does not participate in any proceedings, or recognize the result of the arbitration. Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said the situation changed after the US implemented its Asia-Pacific rebalancing strategy, which threatens peace and stability in the region.

"There are some in the US who have been claiming themselves the vindicators of the law of the sea. But they refused to approve the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea even after the convention had been in place for 34 years. They have been calling on other countries to accept the third-party's resolution to disputes, but themselves hid away and moreover refused to accept the judgement and order made by the International Court of Justice------the primary judicial organ of the UN. Such moves made use of anything that matches their own purpose, and chose to abandon those that are not suitable for them.  Such activities can only severely damage the authority and effectiveness of international laws. This is a really dangerous move. And this is why the international community should be on the alert," said Lu Kang, spokesman of Chinese Foreign Ministry.