Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei expressed appreciation for Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen, who said his country will not back the arbitration court's upcoming decision on the South China Sea issue.  The case was unilaterally filed by the Philippines at The Hague.  Hun Sen warned that interference by some countries outside the region would bring harm to regional peace. He called for the countries concerned to resolve the issues peacefully together.  The foreign ministry spokesman called Hun Sen's remarks objective and fair.

"This shows the attempts made by some countries, using the South China Sea issue to sow discord in China-ASEAN relations, and undermine regional peace and stability, do not gain popular support and will never succeed," Hong said.