Int’l tribunal starts hearing case vs. China

The arbitral tribunal tasked to hear the case filed by the Philippines against China regarding its “expansive and excessive” nine-dash line claim in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) has convened and approved a draft set of rules for the proceedings.

Raul Hernandez, Foreign Affairs spokesman, said that the tribunal held its first meeting on July 11 and designated The Hague in The Netherlands as the seat of arbitration.