China claims support of some 40-60 nations, including many landlocked African nations and Pacific islands where Beijing has economic clout. A landmark ruling on an arbitration case filed by the Philippines that seeks to strike down China's expansive territorial claims in the South China Sea will be a test for international law and world powers. Countries have generally taken a position on the arbitration case depending on whether they're aligned with the US or China. They ask, for example, how the Philippines can say that China's claims are excessive without first determining Beijing's territorial limits. It will be a turmoil in the South China Sea."

Source: New Zealand Herald July 12, 2016 02:48 UTC