China to hold military drills in South China Sea

China says it is perfectly within its rights to do what it wants on the islands in the South China Sea, saying they have been Chinese territory since ancient times.

The Philippines brought the case to the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration previous year, much to China’s displeasure.

A ruling on a complaint issued in 2013 by the Philippines, which, along with China, claims both the Spratly Islands and Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, is expected July 12 at the International Court of Arbitration at The Hague.

“It has no impact on China, on China’s sovereignty over these reefs, over the islands”.

China has gone to great efforts to show the Permanent Court of Arbitration has no jurisdiction on the case, and Beijing will therefore not recognize it. “Using the ruling as a condition for resuming diplomatic consultations will not be viable”, Li said.

Beijing has stepped up its propaganda campaign ahead of the ruling and state media are full of lengthy articles arguing China’s position and slamming accusations that it is trying to bully its smaller neighbours. Some hints came on his first day in office.

Duterte, who was sworn into office last week, said he was optimistic that the UN-backed tribunal in The Hague would rule in favour of the Philippines.

Referring to Chinese assistance in general, Yasay said: “We know that this will be beneficial for our people”.

In Manila, the foreign ministry said the Philippines would “fully respect” the tribunal’s ruling and hoped members of the global community would do the same.

China’s official Xinhua news agency said the court was a “law-abusing tribunal” that had “widely contested jurisdiction”.

While the case filed by the Philippines does not cover the Paracels, the timing of the drill is seen as a move by Beijing to showcase its military prowess.

He said he asked Goldberg in a recent meeting, “Are you with us or are you not with us?” adding that Goldberg responded, “Only if you are attacked”.

The opposition to the joint statement follows a similar scuppering of a statement on the South China Sea when Cambodia chaired the Asean summit in 2012.

USA state department spokeswoman Anna Richey-Allen reiterated US backing for the court. However, according to Zhu, it is significant that the military exercises are to take place at the Parcel Islands, which though disputed are entirely under Chinese control, rather than the Spratlys, where the Philippine military retains a presence.

Japan, meanwhile, is coordinating with other Group of Seven (G-7) nations to issue a joint statement that will demand that China respect the upcoming worldwide ruling, according to sources.