Beijing rejects arbitration gambit

China criticized the Philippines on Tuesday for "betraying bilateral consensus" on resolving its South China Sea concerns through negotiations, as an international tribunal at The Hague took up Manila's request for arbitration over the issue.

The five-member tribunal is to "address China's contention that the arbitration body does not have authority to assume jurisdiction over Manila's complaint against Beijing", The Associated Press reported.

The Philippines initiated the arbitration case in January 2013.