Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday dismissed the Hague arbitral court ruling rejecting China's claims to the South China Sea as "illegal" and "null and void" saying that Beijing would not accept any future proposition or action based on the ruling.

President Xi said the ruling issued by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in the case which the Philippines unilaterally initiated is not binding on China. He said that Beijing would continue to uphold its sovereignty to its territories in the South China Sea and defend its rights to its controlled-islands despite the ruling.

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"China's territorial sovereignty and maritime interests in the South China Sea, under any circumstances, will not be affected by the award," he said.

Xi issued his statement at a meeting with European Commission delegates after the Hague court verdict was released in the Netherlands.

Peace and Stability

"China is firmly committed to peace and stability in the South China Sea, and to settling the disputes with countries directly involved, through peaceful negotiations based on the recognition of historical facts and in accordance with international law," he stated.

There are speculations that the Philippines plans to start negotiations with China armed with the arbitral court ruling. However, Beijing has insisted that it would not hold any talks based on the Permanent Court of Arbitration verdict.

China's Defense Ministry spokesperson Yang Yujun, in a press conference convened after the release of the verdict, said the Chinese military is prepared for any eventualities that may erupt after the ruling.

People's Liberation Army

"The People's Liberation Army resolutely protects the country's national sovereignty, security and maritime rights and interests, and will address threats and challenges," Yang said.

The five-member tribunal ruled that China has no legal basis in invoking its "historical rights" to the reefs and islands in the South China Sea. The court added that Beijing's claims under the nine-dash line run counter to the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The arbitral court also ruled that China violated the sovereign rights of the Philippines by cutting into Manila's exclusive economic zone. It further said that Beijing has no right to an exclusive economic zone 200 miles of Mischief Reef or Thomas Shoal.

Major setback

The PCA verdict is a major setback for China. Political experts believe that Beijing might be pushed to defend its rights to the South China Sea region by force.

Besides the Philippines, China is locked in bitter disputes in the South China Sea with Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei.

The PCA released its verdict on Tuesday. However, it might not serve its purpose since the court has no police powers to enforce the decision.

TagsPresident Xi Jinping, Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling, People's Liberation Army, Philippines, china