Philippines to hold legal battle over South China Sea at UN court

The Philippine delegation has carefully prepared its arguments to assert that the UN court has jurisdiction over the Philippines' case against China.

Oral arguments before a United Nations arbitration tribunal in The Hague will decide whether a Philippine case challenging China's claims to most of the South China Sea will end or move toward discussions that could lead to a peaceful resolution of the maritime dispute between the two countries.

The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs announced on July 3 that the oral arguments from July 7-11 will focus on only one issue: whether the UN tribunal has jurisdiction over the Philippines' case, said Charles Jose, spokesman for the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs.

The Philippine legal team, led by Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, will argue that the UN court has jurisdiction over the case. The high-level legal delegation, which also includes Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario, will be assisted by a US lawyer in the argument.

According to Mr. Jose, the Philippines has prepared its arguments well. Since filing the case against China in January 2013, the Philippines has submitted written arguments including voluminous documents and other evidence to strengthen its legal challenge to Beijing's sovereignty claim.

Chief lawyer Florin Hilbay appointed by the President of the Philippines. Photo: PTVnews.

Asked about the impact of the case on China's island-building activities in the Spratly Islands, Mr. Jose said the court's decision would be "a fundamental first step toward resolving the issue peacefully based on the law."

According to the deputy spokesman of the Philippine President, most members of this delegation will have certain contributions to the discussions at the court, related to the sea area that the Philippines calls the West Philippine Sea.

China refuses to participate in these legal processes, insisting that it has “indisputable sovereignty” over 90% of the South China Sea.

According to VOV