While  China and the Philippines remain divided over the South China Sea, Beijing has reacted strongly against Manila's attempts to seek a third party solution to the maritime dispute. Beijing has refused to accept the juisdiction of the Permanent Court of Arbritation in Hague, Netherlands over the case.

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Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has said that he is willing to work out a solution to the impasse by having a "conversation" with China, presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said last Friday.

Experts say it is only common sense for the Philippines to play smart in the contest with a superpower like China.

Addressing his cabinet at the presidential palace, Duterte said that Manila would not to "flaunt" the possibly favorable ruling of the case by the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

According to CCTV, the tribunal has said that it would be handing down the ruling on July 12. China has stepped up diplomatic efforts to gather support for its position as the date of the ruling draws near. The court's ruling is widely expected to go in favor of the Philippines.

According to the South China Morning Post, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei has underscored the fact that the dispute is ultimately an issue between China and the Philippines and the arbitration court has no jurisdiction in the matter.

"With regard to territorial issues and maritime delimitation disputes, China does not accept any means of third party dispute settlement or any solution imposed on China," Hong said.

Meanwhile, Xinhua has criticized the role played by the US in the dispute. "China is defending not only its territorial sovereignty but world peace and stability when fighting against the obstinacy displayed in the South China Sea arbitration," the state-run news agency said.

Neighboring countries like Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, and Taiwan are also staking a claim in the South China Sea where US$5 trillion worth of trade passes every year. Experts say a victory for the Philippines in the court would undermine Chinese claims and encourage smaller nations in the region to take a similar step.

TagsSouth China Sea, territorial disputes, china philippines dispute, china philippines dispute latest news