The UN-backed arbitral tribunal hearing a lawsuit filed by thePhilippines against China over the territorial disputes in the EastSea has set December 15 as the date for the latter to present itsformal counterargument.
According to a statement issued by thetribunal based at the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in theNetherlands , the body set the time although it on May 21 received amemorandum from Beijing that declares its refusal to accept thePhilippines-initiated arbitration proceedings.
The five-member body said it is obliged to give each party a full opportunity to be heard and to present its case.
Last year, the Philippines submitted the case to the tribunal with anearly 4,000-page document, including legal arguments and evidenceagainst China ’s nine-dash line which covers almost all of the EastSea . The claim is deemed unlawful and invalid under the 1982 UNConvention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The country resortedto international arbitration after its negotiations with China foraddressing the disputes peacefully failed.-VNA
According to a statement issued by thetribunal based at the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in theNetherlands , the body set the time although it on May 21 received amemorandum from Beijing that declares its refusal to accept thePhilippines-initiated arbitration proceedings.
The five-member body said it is obliged to give each party a full opportunity to be heard and to present its case.
Last year, the Philippines submitted the case to the tribunal with anearly 4,000-page document, including legal arguments and evidenceagainst China ’s nine-dash line which covers almost all of the EastSea . The claim is deemed unlawful and invalid under the 1982 UNConvention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The country resortedto international arbitration after its negotiations with China foraddressing the disputes peacefully failed.-VNA
