China said yesterday that more than 30 other countries might find themselves unwittingly embroiled in legal battles similar to the case brought by Manila against Beijing over disputed claims to the South China Sea.

The comments by senior Chinese diplomat Ouyang Yujing takes Beijing’s argument that the UN tribunal hearing the case has no jurisdiction a step further and is China’s latest attempt to rally international support ahead of the tribunal’s ruling on its territorial claims. Mr Ouyang said the Philippines’ move serves as a “reality check” to these countries, which include France and Russia.

Like China, these 30-plus signatories of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) had declared they do not accept compulsory arbitration under Unclos on matters concerning maritime boundaries delimitation.

http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/un-ruling-on-south-china-sea-may-impact-other-countries