South China Sea: Pakistan reiterates its support to Beijing

The international tribunal at The Hague, on Tuesday, ruled that China has no historic title over the waters of the South China Sea, according to media reports.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled that China's expansive claim to sovereignty over the waters had no legal basis.

Philippines had brought the case to the tribunal saying that Chinese activity in the region is against international law.

Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement: "In response to a question regarding the South China Sea, the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Pakistan maintains that disputes over the South China Sea should be peacefully resolved, through consultations and negotiations by states directly concerned, in accordance with bilateral agreements and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC)."

"In this context, the Spokesperson added that Pakistan opposes any imposition of unilateral will on others, and respects China's statement of optional exception in light of Article 298 of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)," read the statement.

"Pakistan believes that maintenance of peace and security is the collective responsibility of all parties to the South China Sea. Countries outside the region should fully respect efforts made by China and the ASEAN countries to safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea, and play a constructive role to this end," it said.

In a significant move China on Tuesday said it is neither accepting nor recognising the award of an arbitral tribunal in the South China Sea arbitration, media reports said.

"The award is null and void and has no binding force,"Xinhua news agency quoted ChineseForeign Ministry as saying in a statement.

Chinese President Xi Jinping  also rejected any proposition based on the arbitration award.

"Chinese President Xi Jinping said China will not accept any proposition or action based on the award issued on Tuesday by the South China Sea arbitral tribunal unilaterally initiated by the former Philippine government," Xinhua reported.