China rejects arbitral court's order

MANILA, Philippines - China will not submit its counter-memorial to the Philippine-initiated case over the South China Sea disputes, rejecting the Hague-based arbitral tribunal's procedural order.

In a press briefing Wednesday, China Foreign MInistry spokesperson Hong Lei said that Beijing maintains its opposition to the arbitration and will not participate in the proceedings in anyway.

"We have noted relevant report. China does not accept nor participate in the arbitration case filed by the Philippines. This position remains unchanged," Hong said.

The arbitral tribunal on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea issued an order Wednesday setting the deadline for China to submit its written arguments by December 15.

"In Procedural Order No. 2, the Arbitral Tribunal fixes 15 December 2014 as the date for China to submit its Counter-Memorial responding to the Philippines’ Memorial," the five-member tribunal in the Permanent Court of Arbitration said.

The Philippines has submitted a 10-volume memorial to the court on March 30, arguing for the inclusion of hotly contested Spratlys group of islands in the country's 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone provided in the international sea convention.

Read: Court tells China: Respond to Phl case by Dec. 15

The Philippines, meanwhile, urged China to cooperate in the proceedings as a "peaceful mechanism" to settle the longstanding sea row.

"We continue to urge China to reconsider its decision not to participate in the arbitration proceedings," Foreign Affairs Secretary Charles Jose said on Wednesday following the release of the procedural order.

"We wish to reiterate that arbitration is a peaceful, open and friendly resolution mechanism that offers a durable solution to the disputes in the South China Sea," he added.

The arbitral tribunal, however, will not consider China's failure to appear in hearings or submit its arguments a bar in the proceedings.

The Philippines as the only participating party will be required to answer specific issues and questions that the tribunal considers inadequately addressed in its memorial.