China denounces Philippines ahead of maritime arbitration deadline

China has again refused to participate in an international arbitration case over disputed waters, this time denouncing the Philippines, which filed the case, Reuters reported. China’s foreign ministry called out the Philippines for seeking to apply political pressure to China through arbitration rather than working toward a peaceful resolution. China has long rejected arbitration, insisting it will resolve disputes bilaterally. China claims almost the entire South China Sea, rejecting claims to parts of it from Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei, and a ruling in the Philippines’ favor could undermine parts of China’s claim to the sea. The tribunal has given China until December 15 to reply in the case.