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People’s Daily escalates rhetoric against Philippines ahead of SCS ruling anniversary

The Communist Party newspaper called the 2016 arbitration decision a “destabilising force” and urged Manila to pivot toward direct talks.

Reported · Written up by our desk · Trade & Tariffs

China’s flagship Communist Party newspaper, People’s Daily, has joined a broader rhetorical push against the Philippines over a 2016 South China Sea arbitration ruling that Beijing rejects as illegal.

In twin commentaries published ahead of the 10th anniversary of the July 12, 2016 decision, the newspaper said the verdict is a permanent source of friction and described it as a destabilising force, while urging Manila to pivot to direct talks.

The arbitration case was initiated by the Philippines at The Hague in 2013, and China did not participate, nor does it recognize the ruling that invalidated key elements of Beijing’s claims in contested waters.

People’s Daily also reiterated that China would never be bound by the decision “under any circumstances,” with the dispute continuing to strain Beijing’s relations with Manila and other South China Sea claimants.

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