British Prime Minister David Cameron on Wednesday called on China to respect and abide by the judgment of the international arbitration tribunal in the case filed by the Philippines against Beijing in 2012 over the South China Sea dispute. The court is expected to be handed down a ruling in the coming weeks.

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In a statement delivered upon arriving in Japan for the G7 summit, Cameron broke his silence on the South China Sea issue, warning that Britain will not condone China's increasing assertiveness in the disputed waters.

Cameron criticisms of China comes amid criticism from Washington that London has been cozying up to Beijing and has been too accommodating.

The British Prime Minister said China must respect and accept the impending ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in the Hague. The court has been hearing the case the Philippines brought against Beijing challenging the latter's claims in the South China Sea despite China's decision not to participate in the proceeding.

"Because we are in Japan, the regional picture will be a feature of this G7," Cameron said.

'Rules-based world'

Cameron emphasized that it is not only in Britain's interest for China to abide by international laws, but for other countries as well.

"We want to encourage China to be part of that rules-based world. We want to encourage everyone to abide by these adjudications. I'm sure that will be something that will be discussed," he said.

Cameron said the international community is expecting Beijing to accept the arbitration court ruling whichever way it goes.

Verdict

Political observers have said that Cameron's comments are likely to infuriate Beijing. China has refused to recognize the jurisdiction of the Hague court and has publicly announced that it will not participate in the trial proceedings nor accept the verdict handed down.

China has accused the Philippines of exercising bad faith by filing the case, despite Manila's announcements that it will start negotiations with Beijing on territorial claims in the South China Sea.

Beijing said Manila is using the court to subvert the China's sovereignty in the region, denouncing the case as a 'blatant grab of territory.'

Cameron and other G7 leaders are expected to tackle the South China Sea dispute in their two-day discussions in Japan, which will start on Thursday.

Experts said Japanese officials will likely rally the leaders to voice their strong opposition against China's reclamation and construction work in parts of the disputed waters. Tokyo is also locked in a bitter dispute with Beijing over ownership of the Senkakus islands in the East China Sea.

TagsBritish Prime Minister David Cameron, arbitration court ruling, G7 summit, South China Sea, china