Beijing Rebuffs Australia Over Comments on the South China Sea

When the Permanent Court of Arbitration announced China had no historical title over the South China Sea, Beijing offered a predictable response. "[China] will not accept the decision," Chinese President Xi Jinping told the State news agency Xinhua. In fact, a statement had already been issued hours the court handed down its decision: "No matter what kind of ruling is to be made, Chinese armed forces will firmly safeguard national sovereignty, security, and maritime interests and rights."

China's decision not to comply with international rulings on territorial disputes is nothing new. However, what is somewhat unusual is the way Beijing has chosen to directly criticise Australia supporting the court's ruling. "We hope that the Australian side will take international law seriously, instead of as a trifling matter," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang on Thursday. This came after Foreign Minister Julie Bishop told ABC radio there would be "strong reputational costs" for ignoring the decision.

"I am a little shocked to hear Bishop's remarks," Lu told Chinese reporters. "We hope Australia can respect the fair position of majority members of international community."

China's position on the case—which ruled the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea superseded China's claim—was that it was a show trial motivated by American money and western imperialism. In this way the trial didn't represent international law, and was effectively achieving the reverse: a contravention of international law. For this reason Lu took the opportunity to warn that for countries violating law, the consequences would amount to more than reputational costs.

Australia, along with the US, has continued operating freedom of navigation exercises since the court's ruling on Tuesday night. On this Lu warned China would "take decisive measures in response to any provocative action attempting to harm China's sovereignty and security interests under the pretext of freedom of navigation."