China's deputy UN permanent representative Sun Lei told the 36th meeting of states parties to UNCLOS on the 17th that certain states have revived the so-called 'South China Sea arbitration' and China must clarify its position. He said the arbitration violated the principle of state consent, the tribunal exceeded its jurisdiction and misapplied the law, and its award is illegal and void. He called the case a political provocation cloaked in legal form aimed at denying China's territorial sovereig

China's deputy UN permanent representative Sun Lei told the 36th meeting of states parties to UNCLOS on the 17th that certain states have revived the so-called 'South China Sea arbitration' and China must clarify its position. He said the arbitration violated the principle of state consent, the tribunal exceeded its jurisdiction and misapplied the law, and its award is illegal and void. He called the case a political provocation cloaked in legal form aimed at denying China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights; China has never accepted or recognized the award and its South China Sea territorial and maritime rights remain unaffected.