China claims 2016 arbitral ruling ‘illegal’

China insisted on Wednesday that the 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling that invalidated Beijing’s claims in the South China Sea violates international law. “The so-called award of the South China Sea arbitration seriously violates international law. It is illegal, null and void,” said Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin in Beijing, after Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo stressed that the country’s victory in the Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 is “final and indisputable.” —TINA G. SANTOS

gsg