Discord over South China Sea clouds Asia-Europe summit

China has refused to recognise Tuesday’s ruling by an arbitration court in The Hague invalidating its vast claims in the South China Sea and did not take part in the proceedings brought by the Philippines. 

It has reacted angrily to calls by Western countries and Japan for the decision to be adhered to. China had flagged ahead of the Ulaanbaatar get-together that it did not want the South China Sea to be discussed, saying it was not an appropriate venue. 

The closing statement said leaders reaffirmed a commitment to promote maritime security, safety and cooperation, freedom of navigation and overflight and to refrain from using threatening force. It also said disputes should be resolved via international law, the United Nations charter and UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, or UNCLOS.