'Won't backdown from SCS claims whatever UN tribunal verdict'

China today asserted that it will not backdown over its maritime rights on the South China Sea regardless of international pressures and the outcome of a case with the Philippines in a UN tribunal that is likely to deliver its verdict soon.
"Some country tried to pressure China to backdown by using this award and using it as a fait accompli on China. It is impractical illusion. Whatever the award it is illegal. China will not accept or acknowledge it," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei today told media here.
Asked how China would deal with the UN Convention on Law of Sea (UNCLOS) tribunal case if it goes against it, Hong said China will not accept it whether the award favours or goes against it.

"China is determined to safeguard the national territory and maritime rights and interests," he said.
The tribunal which is arbitrating the case filed by the Philippines is set to deliver its judgement in the next weeks which was largely expected to go against China as Beijing boycotted it questioning its legality.
China claims all most all of South China Sea, (SCS). The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan fiercely contest China's claims.

They also have overlapping claims over the area stated to be endowed with oil, minerals and rich with fisheries.
While dismissing UNCLOS jurisdiction over the SCS dispute, China whose claims are mostly based on its historic rights said it however endorse UNCLOS right to uphold international maritime law in general.

"At the same we will also uphold international rule of law and the integrity and sanctity of UNCLOS," Hong said.
Also another Chinese Foreign Ministry official, Ouyang Yujing, director-general of Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs China will bounce back with spring effect to counter any adverse impact from the UNCLOS.
"Of course we're willing to take on board constructive comments and criticism by the relevant countries," he said.
"But if they are aimed at putting pressure on China or blackening its name, then you can view it like a spring, which has an applied force and a counterforce. The more the pressure, the greater the reaction," he said.

China has already built substantial military installations including a runway on reclaimed islands.
It would also give the US, which has stepped its presence
in South China Sea, to mount an international campaign to isolate Beijing.
China also apprehends that if Philippines petition goes through, the rest of the claimants may take the same route to assert their rights.
Ouyang said, "it's not as though we don't want to resolve the dispute in the SCS. We do. But what we want is to resolve the territorial dispute through direct negotiations, as we have clearly stated in our agreements with the Philippines and through the Declaration of Conduct agreement with ASEAN," he said"

"China and Philippines reached consensus on the settlement of issues in the SCS through bilateral negotiations. We have said we won't allow the dispute to be settled through other dispute settlement procedures. Therefore the arbitration court has no jurisdiction on the dispute between China and the Philippines. This arbitration case has been illegal from the start," he said.
"The core of the territorial dispute between China and the Philippines is that the latter is attempting to harm China's interests in the Nansha Islands. China firmly opposes a certain country's taking hostage the international rule of law for its own selfish gains. They are violating the law under the guise of the 'rule of law,' and China won't accept any of these acts.," he said.