A decision is expected in the pending case between the Philippines and China over disputed claims in the South China Sea in May,according to the Philippines. A separate Reuters report suggests that the Philippines is open to considering bilateral talks to resolve their disputes in the South China Sea provided that the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague rules in its favor in their case. In October 2015, the Court decided on the issue of jurisdiction, ruling mostly in the Philippines’ favor. China is not officially participating in the case, but the Court is treating a position paper submitted by Beijing in early 2015 as an official document. Read more
