China has warned that any ruling against the country this week in a UN tribunal over disputed waters in the South China Sea “will increase tension and undermine peace in the region”.
The warning came as Chinese warships on Sunday conducted live-fire military drills in the sea’s disputed waters, stiffening its territorial claims ahead of the UN ruling.
Beijing has long rejected the authority of the UN Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, which is widely expected to rule against the country on Tuesday in a case brought by the Philippines that challenges the legality of China’s claims and activities in the sea. China has refused to participate in the case.