China says it has rejected the Philippines’ attempt to seek international arbitration over conflicting claims to territory in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea). Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei said Tuesday that China’s ambassador to Manila, Ma Keqing, had returned Manila’s formal notification of the move to the Department of Foreign Affairs. Hong said the proposal was historically and legally incorrect and contained unacceptable accusations against China.

China rejects UN mediation of sea dispute. (2013, February 20). Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A13.