Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin said Beijing could declare an air defense identification zone over the waters if it felt threatened, a move that would sharply escalate tensions.
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Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenminhe also called the ruling unjust and said that it seeks to deny Chinese sovereignty, maritime rights and interests, while legitimising the Philippines’ claims.
The Philippines brought the case to the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, objecting to China’s claims to maritime rights in the disputed waters.
The United Nations said on Wednesday it has nothing to do with the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), which set up a tribunal that handled the South China Sea arbitration case the Philippines filed unilaterally in 2013.
Bishop said Canberra also reserved the right to sail ships and fly planes close to some of the reefs and islands claimed by China.
Liu told reporters that Beijing is considering establishing an ADIZ over the region it claims, which would require all aircraft entering the zone to identify itself to Beijing before passing through. In 2013, a similar zone was put in place in the East China Sea, angering Japan, the USA and its allies.
Taiwan’s government has rejected the ruling by arbitral tribunal as “completely unacceptable” and said it is not legally binding since the arbitral tribunal did not formally invite Taipei to participate in its proceedings or solicit its views.
Should the US’s efforts at diplomacy fail, a defense official on Wednesday said that United States air and naval forces were ready to protect freedom of movement in the South China Sea.
The Philippines reacted cautiously to the ruling late on Tuesday, calling for “restraint and sobriety”, but the mood at President Rodrigo Duterte’s cabinet meeting on Wednesday was “upbeat”, presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said.
The Hague ruling sets out clearly the rights and obligations of the various parties involved in the quarrel, with the Philippines clearly the victor.
China says it has historical rights over the sea, which it defines by a “nine-dash line”.
It initially welcomed the ruling as a “milestone decision”, but without outright celebration.
“China’s Internet users have vented anger at the ruling, some even calling for war against the USA and the Philippines”, Anthony reports. The Chinese community said that the ruling was “Ill-founded” and “naturally null and void”.
“China, of course, will not accept such downright political provocations”, the newspaper added.
He said China will continue to endeavor to peacefully resolve relevant disputes in the South China Sea with parties directly concerned through negotiation and consultation on the basis of respecting historic facts and in accordance with global law. Taiwan responded by sending a warship to the area.
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China maintains that peace and stability in the South China Sea should be jointly upheld by China and Asean member states, said the whitepaper.
