South China Sea arbitration illegal, invalid — Chinese Foreign Ministry

China will reject and will never acknowledge the arbitration initiated by the Philippines because it is illegal and invalid no matter what it will be, said a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman on Friday.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei made the remarks at a regular press briefing in Beijing on Friday in response to the reports that a tribunal set up at the request of the Philippines is likely to make a final arbitration in May or June.

"Those who expect that the arbitration could compel China to yield or make it an accomplished fact are doomed to be disillusioned. The arbitration is illegal and invalid whatever it will be. China will reject and will never acknowledge it," said Hong.

"China is firm in its determination to safeguard its sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. At the same time, we are also firm to safeguard the integrity and authority of the international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea," Hong added. — Reuters