South China Sea: Beijing has stressed it will continue to reject the 2016 arbitral ruling

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Beijing has opposed the 2016 landmark ruling and have said they will continue to do so despite President Rodrigo Duterte planning to mention it. Duterte, who has previously been criticised for not pushing back China ’s dominance in the waters, said “it’s time” to start talking. Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua said Beijing will not “accept or recognise it”.

South China Sea: Hostile standoff between Beijing and Vietnam OVER

According to the Inquirer, Zhao told reporters: “We expressed that we will not accept it.

“We will not recognise that. That remains. Our position has not changed and we will not be changed.”

Duterte said at the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry: “Let’s talk about the arbitral ruling. I’m going to China to talk.”

He added he didn’t want to fight with his Chinese counterpart.

READ MORE: The battle between US and China that will shape the South China Sea