#SouthChinaSea: 'China wants to offset negative outcomes for its reputation'

Abstract

China is ready to start negotiations with the Philippines on the long-running territorial dispute in the South China Sea if Manila ignores an arbitration ruling expected next week. That’s what China Daily reported on Monday. The Philippines brought the case to the Permanent Court of Arbitration in Hague in January 2013. The ruling is expected on July 12. However, China already said it would ignore the ruling as the country supports direct talks between the two sides involved in the issue instead of international arbitration. Beijing refused to participate in the the arbitration case, claiming the court has no jurisdiction. According to China Daily, about 60 countries have openly expressed their support of China’s stance. The Philippines is not the only one who has claims with China in the area - Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam also see certain areas in the region as their own.