Full coverage: The South China Sea Issue

China says it will respond decisively to any provocations in the South China Sea. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang repeated China's insistence that arbitration unilaterally filed by the Philippines was a violation of international law.

He said a UN statement that distances itself from Permanent Court of Arbitration is more evidence of this. Australia has made a statement urging China to observe the ruling by the tribunal. Lu urged Australia to speak and act carefully.

"China has lodged serious protests with the Australian government concerning their leader's statements. We are strongly against it. Australia is not directly involved in the South China Sea disputes. We hope it will determine its position based on facts and not take sides on sovereign issues," Lu Kang said.