China urges Australia to take international law seriously

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Thursday urged Australia not to treat the illegal conclusion of an unlawful arbitration court as the international law.

"We hope that the Australian side will take international law seriously, instead of as a trifling matter," Lu Kang told a daily news briefing.

After an arbitral tribunal issued on Tuesday a so-called award on the South China Sea arbitration, which was unilaterally initiated by the former government of the Philippines, Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop warned China there would be "strong reputational costs" for ignoring the ruling.

"I am a little shocked to hear Bishop's remarks," Lu said. "We hope Australia can respect the fair position of majority members of international community."

China respects international law -- if any country violates it, the consequences will not be only reputational costs, Lu said, noting that China upholds the sanctity of the international law and rejects any action that violates the international law.

China urged Australia not to regard the violation of the international law as international law itself, Lu said.

It is reported that on Wednesday Bishop called on all parties to respect the so-called ruling, which she described as final and legally binding, and she also said Australian ships and aircraft would continue to exercise freedom of navigation and overflight rights.

"We have lodged solemn representations with the Australian side," Lu said.

As the largest coastal state in the South China Sea, China respects the freedom of navigation and over-flight in the South China Sea to which all countries are entitled under international law, Lu said.

China will take firm responses to any provocative action that undermines China's sovereignty and security interests in the name of navigation and over-flight freedom, according to the spokesperson.

Australia is not a party concerned in the South China Sea issue, Lu said, adding that China hopes Australia will keep its promise of not taking a stand on sovereign claim disputes, and refrain from moves that might damage bilateral ties and regional peace and stability.

When commenting the so-called ruling, Lu said the arbitration unilaterally filed by the Aquino III government, which violated international law, is a political farce under the cloak of law.

What the arbitral tribunal did severely deviated from the common practice of international arbitration. The ruling is null and void with no binding force, Lu said.

He said it will in no way affect China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea. China opposes and refuses to accept any proposition or action based on the ruling.

Lu said China will continue to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.

He said China will continue to endeavor to peacefully resolve relevant disputes in the South China Sea with parties directly concerned through negotiation and consultation on the basis of respecting historic facts and in accordance with international law. Endi