China still hopeful on bilateral talks to settle sea row

MANILA, Philippines - Beijing remains hopeful that the Philippines will agree to "sit together" for a peaceful negotiation over the South China Sea dispute.

China on Wednesday once again called on the Philippines to settle the South China Sea dispute through bilateral talks.

"It seems that China and the Philippines have different approaches but our preference is peaceful negotiation directly between the two parties," Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua told members of the press on Wednesday.

The Philippines filed a case before the United Nations arbitration tribunal over the disputed territory.

China refused to participate in the proceedings and called on the Philippines to drop the case.

The Philippines has earlier refused China's offer to conduct bilateral negotiations to handle the said dispute.

"The negotiation might require patience, might take time but that's the only way out... peaceful solution through bilateral talks," Zhao added.

The arbitrary tribunal is set to decide whether it has jurisdiction over the South China Sea dispute within the year.

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