Philippines asks China to 'respect' Hague ruling; Indonesia to strengthen security around disputed islands

China reacts furiously and vows to ignore the decision of the UN-back tribunal.

The Philippines urged China to respect the international tribunal's ruling that rejected its claims over most of the disputed South China Sea.

China reacted furiously and vowed to ignore the decision of the UN-back tribunal on Tuesday. The nation openly warned its rivals that too much pressure on this issue would lead into a "cradle of war".

The Philippines Foreign Affairs Secretary, Perfecto Yasay, said in a statement that they would raise the issue at a major two-day Asia-Europe summit in Mongolia starting on Friday.

"Secretary Yasay will discuss within the context of ASEM's agenda the Philippines' peaceful and rules-based approach on the South China Sea and the need for parties to respect the recent decision," the foreign affairs department told AFP.

However, China said the summit is "not a suitable place to discuss" the issue. "It should not be put on the agenda," Assistant Foreign Minister, Kong Xuanyou said.

Meanwhile, Ryamizard Ryacudu, the Defense Minister of Indonesia, said on Wednesday that they will sharply bolster the security around its South China Sea islands. There has been a recent surge in rifts between both Indonesian patrols and navy boats and Chinese fishing vessels and coast guard ships.

This security process would involve redistribution of warships, an F-16 fighter jet, surface-to-air missiles, radar and drones, as well as constructing new ports and improving an airstrip.

Ryacudu said the military build-up, which started a couple of months ago, would be completed in "less than a year".

"These will be our eyes and ears. So that we can really see what is happening in the Natunas and the surrounding area in the South China Sea," he said.

Indonesia has always said that there was no maritime clash with China in the South China Sea dispute and has never claimed any ownership of any territory. But Beijing's claims that overlapped with Indonesia's exclusive economic zone gave rise to conflicts between the two.

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