UN tribunal gives China another chance to respond

The United Nations arbitral tribunal in The Hague hears the case filed by the Philippines over the maritime dispute in the West Philippines Sea. PHOTO FROM THE PERMANENT COURT OF ARBITRATION

The United Nations (UN) tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands, has given China another chance to respond to the arbitration case filed by the Philippines over the West Philippine Sea dispute despite Beijing’s repeated refusal to participate.

“The Arbitral Tribunal has decided to provide China with the opportunity to comment in writing, by Monday 17 August 2015, on anything said during this Hearing on Jurisdiction and Admissibility,” it said in a statement posted online on Tuesday.

China has been given several opportunities in the past to submit comments to support their side but they have stood firm on their position to not participate in the proceedings.

The Philippine deliberation, led by Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, presented its arguments when the tribunal commenced hearing the case on July 7 and concluded on July 13.

FULL TEXT: DFA chief Del Rosario’s speech at UN tribunal

“The Arbitral Tribunal now enters its deliberations and is conscious of its duty under the Rules of Procedure to conduct proceedings to avoid unnecessary delay and expense and to provide a fair and efficient process,” the statement said.

The tribunal is expected to render a decision on whether the court has jurisdiction of the case before the end of the year.

Despite China’s firm refusal to participate in the proceedings, the tribunal says it has exerted all efforts to ensure China is updated and informed of the status of the case.

“The Arbitral Tribunal has kept China updated on all developments in the arbitration and … remains open to China to participate in these proceedings at any stage. Transcripts of the hearing have been made available to China, and China has been invited to comment on anything stated at the hearing,” it said.

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