ANTANANARIVO, July 13 (Xinhua) -- China was right to reject international court's South China Sea decision, Malagasy experts said on Tuesday.
An international tribunal in The Hague ruled on Tuesday in favor of the Philippines in the South China Sea dispute.
Professor Raniriharinosy Harimanana, a Malagasy political scientist told Xinhua in an exclusive interview Tuesday that "it was decided unilaterally, so this is one more reason for China to reject the decision of the international court."
"China stands ready to continue to resolve the relevant disputes peacefully through negotiation and consultation with the states directly concerned on the basis of respecting historical facts and in accordance with international law," the Chinese government declared Tuesday in its statement on China' s Territorial Sovereignty and Maritime Rights and Interests in the South China Sea.
"Moreover, Nobody can compel a state to appear before an international court without his consent," Raniriharinosy added.
Rabenja Claudio, another Malagasy international relations expert explained to Xinhua that this is a dispute between China and the Philippines.
"Other countries should not interfere, but just stay mediators and non-partisan. International court should judge the case without tilt," Rabenja Claudio added.
The Chinese government issued the statement to reaffirm China' s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, enhance cooperation in the South China Sea with other countries,and uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea.
"I'm not surprised at the decision of the international court because I know that China does not have many representatives in this institution. Also the Philippines are supported by the United States which has a great interest in the dispute, an expert in political sciences, Professor Phillipe Razanajaona said.
"The International Court should swing its decisions to avoid further international scope of problems," Razanajaona added.
"China respects and upholds the freedom of navigation and overflight enjoyed by all states under international law in the South China Sea, and stays ready to work with other coastal states and the international community to ensure the safety of and the unimpeded access to the international shipping lanes in the South China Sea," China concluded in its statement.
