China announced on Saturday that it would ignore the ruling of the United Nation's Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) on the case initiated by the Philippines over Beijing's territorial claims in the South China Sea. 

Guan Youfei, director of the Foreign Affairs Office of China's National Defense Ministry, stated that "To put it simply, the arbitration case actually has gone beyond its jurisdiction."

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The Philippines filed the lawsuit with the United Nations' mandated court under the Convention on Law of the Sea, questioning whether or not China has a legitimate claim to the territories in the South China Sea. The court ruled last year that it has jurisdiction over the case, despite protests from China. The arbitration panel is expected to rule on the case soon.

Guan claims that "Because the territorial and sovereignty disputes have not been subjected to the arbitration, we think the arbitration is illegal." 

Guan's statements reflect China's longstanding decision not to participate in any international arbitration to settle the territorial dispute. Instead, Beijing insists on addressing the issues through bilateral discussions. 

Meanwhile, Philippines president-elect Rodrigo Duterte has said that he is open to having bilateral talks with China over the South China Sea dispute. Experts say China more confidence to undermine any ruling of the arbitration court since the incoming government of the Philippines does not seem very interested in the case.

Brunei, Taiwan, Indonesia, and Vietnam are also claiming portions of the South China Sea. The United States has openly supported these nations as well as the Philippines in the face of China's aggressive expansion in the disputed territory, and this has placed Beijing and Washington at odds.

Tagschina, Philippines, South China Sea, United States, United Nations