The Chinese government is dismissing a decision by an international tribunal connected to the South China Sea.

The Hague-based Arbitral Tribunal has determined it will hear part of the case the Philippine government put forward in its dispute with China over who holds jurisdiction over the Nansha Islands.

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Lu Kang said the court ruling is null and void.

"China has indisputable sovereignty over the South China Sea Islands and the adjacent waters. As a sovereign state and State Party to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, China is entitled to choose the means and procedures of dispute settlement of its own will. China has been committed all along to resolving disputes with its neighbours over territory and maritime jurisdiction through negotiations and consultations. "

The spokesman said the Philippines' decision to seek arbitration was "a political provocation under the cloak of law."

"As a State Party to the UNCLOS, China firmly opposes the acts of abusing the compulsory procedures for dispute settlement under the UNCLOS, and urge all parties concerned to work together to safeguard the integrity and authority of the UNCLOS. China urges the Philippines to honour its own commitments, respect China's rights under international law, change its course and return to the right track of resolving relevant disputes in the South China Sea through negotiations and consultations."

The Philippines decided to challenge China's sovereignty over the Nansha Islands through the international tribunal in 2013, rather than by direct negotiations which the Chinese government has been asking for.

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