Taiwan says it won't recognise The Hague's decision on disputed South China Sea

Taipei yesterday lashed out over a decision by The Hague's international arbitration panel to accept a case brought by the Philippines against China over disputed territory in the South China Sea, the island's official Central News Agency reported.

The Philippines had not invited Taipei to take part in its arbitration, and the tribunal has not solicited Taiwan's views, the CNA cited a statement issued by the foreign ministry as saying.

"Therefore, the arbitration does not affect [Taipei] in any way, and [Taipei] neither recognises nor accepts related awards," the statement said.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Netherlands ruled Thursday it has jurisdiction to hear the case, in which the Philippines argues China's "nine-dash line" territorial claim over South China Sea waters is unlawful under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The statement seemed to indicate the ministry's stronger stance than its initial response a day earlier, when it said Taipei's determination to defend its sovereignty over four island chains in the South China Sea should no be doubted. It said Taiwan was closely following the developments in the case and would take measures as necessary.

The Philippines filed the case in 2013 to seek a ruling on its right to exploit South China Sea waters within its 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone as allowed under the UN convention.