Cambodia's ruling party not to support arbitration court's decision over South China Sea issue: PM

Ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) President and Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen announced on Tuesday that the CPP would not back the arbitration court's upcoming decision over the South China Sea issue, saying that the party saw the upcoming decision as "the worst political collusion in the framework of international politics."

In 2013, the Philippines unilaterally filed compulsory arbitration against China at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague with respect to the two sides' disputes in the South China Sea. The Chinese government has reiterated its non-acceptance and non-participation stance in the case.

"The CPP does not support, and more so is against, any declaration by ASEAN to support decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in relation to the South China Sea disputes, which some countries outside the region have wire-pulled and pressured ASEAN members even before the court reaches a decision," Hun Sen said in a speech during the CPP's 65th founding anniversary in Phnom Penh.

"The CPP foresees this issue, and views it the worst political collusion in the framework of international politics, the result of which would lead to division among ASEAN members themselves and between ASEAN and China," he said.

The prime minister warned that efforts of some countries outside the region to mobilize forces against China would bring negative impacts on ASEAN and peace in the region. Enditem