The Chinese government is calling on the Philippines to give up any illusions of sovereignty over islands claimed by China in the South China Sea.
Foreign Ministry spoksperson Hong Lei commented following the release of a court transcript from hearings the Philippine launched at the International Court of Justice.
"No other people or institutions have the right to deal with Chinese territorial sovereignty except the Chinese people. With regard to territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, China will not accept any resort to a third-party dispute settlement. We urge the Philippines to give up the fantasy and make a fresh start of negotiations on the disputes."
China is refusing to take part in the hearings at the Hague, saying the arbitration aims to deny Chinese sovereignty and its maritime interests in the South China Sea.
