Cambodian PM reiterates 'no support' for arbitral tribunal's decision over South China Sea

PHNOM PENH - Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen reiterated on Wednesday that the country would not support an arbitral tribunal's upcoming decision over the South China Sea issue.

In 2013, the Philippines unilaterally filed compulsory arbitration against China at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague with respect to the two sides' disputes in the South China Sea. The Chinese government has reiterated its non-acceptance and non-participation stance in the case.

"Cambodia does not support, and more so is against, any statement by ASEAN to support the court's decision," Hun Sen said in a speech during the 65th anniversary of founding the Department of Customs and Excise.

He said the issue is between the Philippines and China, not between ASEAN and China.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement issued on June 8 that China has all along stood for peacefully settling territorial and maritime delimitation disputes through negotiations with states directly concerned on the basis of respecting historical facts and in accordance with the international law.

On issues concerning territorial sovereignty and maritime delimitation, China never accepts any recourse to third party settlement, or any means of dispute settlement that is imposed on it, the statement said.