Cambodia reiterates stance of not backing arbitration court's decision over South China Sea

Cambodia reiterated on Saturday that the country would not support the arbitration court's upcoming decision over the South China Sea issue, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.

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. A decision will be issued on July 12 even though the Chinese government has reiterated its non-acceptance and non-participation stance in the case.

"Cambodia thinks that the Philippine complaint is to request the Permanent Court of Arbitration to settle its dispute with China and this process is not related with all ASEAN member states," the statement said.

"With this reason, Cambodia will not join in expressing any joint stance on the decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the dispute between the Philippines and China," it said.

The statement called on the Philippines and China to continue to resolve their dispute peacefully in order to uphold peace, security, and stability in the South China Sea and to maintain the excellent strategic partnership of cooperation between ASEAN and China.

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen announced twice last month that his ruling Cambodian People's Party would not support, and more so would be against, any declaration by ASEAN to support decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in relation to the South China Sea disputes.

He said the party considered the arbitration court's upcoming decision as "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 called on the parties directly concerned to settle their disputes through peaceful negotiations and urged countries outside the region to cease their interference on the South China Sea issue. Enditem