Update | Beijing seeks Moscow’s support over South China Sea court battle with Philippines
Court ruling on case filed by the Philippines against China expected by May or June
China is lobbying Russia for support in opposing international court proceedings launched by the Philippines over the disputed South China Sea.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov during talks in Moscow the two nations should join hands to oppose “internationalising” the disputes.
“Both China and Russia should stay on guard against abuses of mandatory arbitration,” Wang said yesterday.
US to give Philippines eye in the sky – US$42m worth of sensors, radars – to track South China Sea activity
A communique after a meeting between Wang, Lavrov, and Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said all related disputes in the South China Sea should be addressed through negotiations and agreements between the parties concerned. Neither Russia nor India are claimants in the sea.
Analysts said Wang’s remarks were China’s way of ratcheting up preparations for the court ruling, which is expected in May or June.
Hugo Swire, British minister of state responsible for East Asia, said the ruling from the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague must be binding.
This month, the European Union urged China to respect the ruling of the international tribunal, and the foreign ministers of the Group of Seven industrialised nations expressed concerns over the South China Sea tensions.
Lavrov said last week it was necessary to stop any attempts to internationalise the disputes.