Manila attacks Beijing South China Sea claims in court case

THE HAGUE: The Philippines has sought to debunk China's claims to disputed islands in the South China Sea, court officials said Monday as an international tribunal wrapped up a five-day hearing.

Although Beijing has refused to take part in the hearing before the Permanent Court of Arbitration, judges have now given China until January 1 to write a rebuttal to the case laid out by Manila in the Hague.