China called on the Philippines yesterday to withdraw a case it has filed at a UN arbitration tribunal over rival claims in the South China Sea and return to bilateral negotiations. Beijing has for years insisted that disputes with rival claimants to the South China Sea be handled bilaterally. The Philippines is seeking to enforce its right to exploit waters in a 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone off its coast, as defined under the convention.

China to Phl: return to bilateral talks. (2015, July 23). Philippines Star, pp. 1, 10.