Read: ‘Beijing has no historic title over South China Sea’: Timeline of dispute”China's territorial sovereignty and maritime interests in South China Sea, under any circumstances, will not be affected by the award,” he said. Besides the Philippines, China is locked in disputes in the South China Sea with Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam. A UN-backed international court ruled on Tuesday that China never had historic rights over islands in the South China Sea (SCS) but President Xi Jinping led Beijing’s dismissal of the verdict. “India would be able to fully and freely exercise its maritime rights and freedoms in the South China Sea. Responding to questions on the Chinese navy's recent drills in the South China Sea, Yang said the manoeuvre was a routine one in line with an annual exercise plan.

Source: Hindustan Times July 12, 2016 16:23 UTC