Territorial dispute with Philippines: China adamant on stance

Even as the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague announced on Thursday that it would handle the case filed by the Philippines over Beijing's territorial claim for almost the entire South China Sea, China said it would "continue boycotting proceedings" at the court.

The Philippines, along with Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan, is contesting China's claims.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Friday, saying "the decision is invalid and has no binding power on China".

Vice-Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin told reporters that the decision was "unjust" because it ignores China's rights.

Liu said the Philippines filed the case not to resolve the dispute but to have its interests acknowledged and Chinese interests denied.