In ignoring an upcoming verdict on the South China Sea, Beijing is following well-established precedent by great powers.

China has an overall strategic environment and strategic tasks that are much bigger than the South China Sea issue. China should proceed from the perspective of the strategic situation, make peace with neighboring countries, and finally persuade the US to accept China’s role in Asia. Governments of China’s neighbors may support one element in the Chinese government’s basic position on the South China Sea issue, but not necessarily all elements, and Beijing must balance its strategic priorities.

But having made plenty of diplomatic, political and military efforts to hype up the arbitration during the past three years, the US will not sit idle while China tries to safeguard its lawful rights. Such are their differences on the South China Sea issue that many fear they could lead to a military conflict.

Japan is brokering a joint statement on the South China Sea ruling with its counterparts in the Group of Seven (G-7) advanced economies as part of a "proactive diplomacy" drive, though its own reaction to the verdict tomorrow may be muted.

The geopoliticalization of the South China Sea by the US has further complicated the security situation in the region and placed more hurdles in the peaceful settlement of disputes. The new president of the Philippines has made remarks concerning possible resumption of dialogue and negotiation on the Nansha Islands issue, a very welcome development.

The US “freedom of navigation” operations are nothing but an exercise of double standards and selective enforcement, as evidenced by the uneven treatment of Japan and China. The operations’ real purpose is to ensure American interests. The professed aim of upholding international law or UNCLOS is just a façade.

In the past 20 years, the Philippines reached and signed at least six statements and agreements with China on peaceful settlement of the South China Sea disputes through negotiations. The current unilateral arbitration – deemed illegal by China and at least 60 other countries – is a ploy to legalize its illegitimate seizure of Chinese territory and deny China’s sovereign claims and maritime rights.

China's foreign minister spoke with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry by telephone on Wednesday ahead of a key international court ruling on China's South China Sea claims and warned Washington against moves that infringe on China's sovereignty, Beijing's official Xinhua news agency reported.

The new Philippine government is serious in its intention to talk to China in order to peacefully manage the South China Sea Disputes even after the arbitration ruling. However, if China overreacts at the expense of Philippine security, the Duterte administration will face no choice but to succumb to the pressures of other major powers.

As tensions simmer ahead of an international tribunal’s ruling on Beijing’s claims over the South China Sea, a veteran Chinese foreign policy maker is sending a stern warning about putting the verdict into action.