South China Sea: Philippines and Beijing await court ruling
Source: BBC
South China Sea: Philippines and Beijing await court ruling
6 minutes ago
From the section Asia
An international tribunal is set to give a long-awaited ruling, with implications for China's controversial claims in the disputed South China Sea.
The case at the tribunal in The Hague was brought by the Philippines, which argues Chinese activity in the region is against international law. China claims almost all of the South China Sea, including reefs and islands also claimed by others.
China says it does not recognise the tribunal and has refused to take part.
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However, observers say the decision could favour the Philippines - and China risks reputational damage if it does not abide by it. They also warn there is a risk that China could react aggressively to a ruling against it. The ruling is binding but the tribunal, the Permanent Court of Arbitration, has no powers of enforcement.
The US has sent an aircraft carrier and fighter jets to the region, prompting an angry editorial in the Global Times, a strongly nationalist state-run newspaper, calling for China to prepare for "military confrontation". Meanwhile, the Chinese Navy has been carrying out exercises near the disputed Paracel islands.
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Read more: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-36767252
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