According to NHK, the Philippines has rejected China's call for Manila to drop its lawsuit against Beijing's nine-dash line (cow tongue line) in the South China Sea at the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) and begin bilateral negotiations.

The nine-dash line (cow tongue line) delineates the maritime border in the South China Sea (in red), a line that China has unjustly imposed. (Source: UNCLOS/CIA)

Philippine media reported on July 16th that Philippine Presidential Spokesperson Heminio Coloma emphasized that once the case has been brought before the PCA, Manila is determined to pursue it to the end.

Heminio Coloma added that the Philippines firmly respects international law and seeks a rules-based solution to disputes in the South China Sea.

The statement was issued after Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying urged the Philippines to "return to the right path of resolving disputes through negotiation and consultation."

Ms. Hua Chunying affirmed that China "will never accept unilateral attempts to seek the intervention of a third party to resolve disputes."

Previously, the Chinese government stated that it would never recognize any court ruling related to the lawsuit initiated by the Philippines.

(According to VN+)