US State Secretary John Kerry once again called on Beijing to recognize the decision of the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration over South China Sea, urging China to learn from India to accept the verdict of international tribunals.
While speaking to students at the Indian Institute of Technology in New Delhi, Kerry made a reference to the India-Bangladesh maritime dispute case. India accepted and implemented the ruling without any disapproval as Dhaka won the case after a United Nations tribunal court in 2014 awarded a substantial maritime area of the Bay of Bengal to Bangladesh.
"India's decision to accept an international tribunal judgment regarding its maritime border with Bangladesh actually stands apart. This is the model to help potentially dangerous disputes in different danger spots...these can be resolved peacefully including [the] South China Sea [dispute," Kerry said.
Kerry added that there cannot be any military solution to South China Sea dispute, adding that the US would remain to stand by its allies.
China has been firm and adamant that it would not accept decision over South China Sea, regardless of international pressure. The international tribunal court favors Philippines claim, rejecting China's historical claim on the maritime territory.
Since the verdict was pronounced, China has been in overdrive to counter international pressure. Beijing's diplomatic efforts ensured that South China Sea verdict was not stated in the joint statements of recently concluded ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting and Asia-Europe Meeting.
China has already warned against any discussion of the South China Sea issue ahead of the G20 Summit in Hangzhou.
