Russia does not recognize legitimacy of arbitral proceedings in "South China Sea arbitration": spokesperson

MOSCOW, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Russia does not recognize the legitimacy of the arbitral proceedings in the so-called South China Sea arbitration, saying the disputes in the South China Sea should be resolved through political and diplomatic means, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday.

As is well known, China does not participate in the so-called arbitration, and firmly maintains its position that the arbitral tribunal lacks any relevant jurisdiction, Zakharova told a regular press conference on Wednesday, stressing that Russia does not recognize the legitimacy of the arbitral proceedings due to the absence of the necessary consent of China to the settlement of this dispute.

She stressed that Russia opposes the intervention of non-regional forces on the issue and insists on a political and diplomatic resolution based on international law and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.

Russia's position on the issue "is not a political one, but a purely legal one," and is based on the necessity of the consent of states to the consideration of disputes involving them by international judicial and arbitral bodies, she said.