A debate in China’s foreign ministry on how to respond -- or whether to respond -- to a court case over the disputed South China Sea highlights how tensions over policy are complicating President Xi Jinping’s efforts to project the country as a responsible power. China is boycotting arbitration hearings brought by the Philippines in The Hague that are heading to a conclusion next year, saying it doesn’t recognize the court’s jurisdiction. That fits its approach of dealing with disputes on a state-to-state basis, rather than through courts or international groupings, but its absence means there is no counter-argument to the Philippines’ case.

Maritime dispute exposes rifts in China's foreign ministry. (2015, December 19). Manila Bulletin, pp. 1, 6.