国内英语新闻:Mainland, Taiwan must defend South China Sea sovereignty: spokesperson

BEIJING, July 12 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese mainland spokesperson said Tuesday that both the mainland and Taiwan should safeguard territorial sovereignty and maritime rights in the South China Sea.

Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said the two sides share responsibility for the overall and fundamental interests of the Chinese nation.

Ma made the remarks after Taiwan authorities said Tuesday it "absolutely will not accept" the award of an arbitral tribunal in the South China Sea arbitration established at the request of the Philippines.

The tribunal in The Hague issued its decision on Tuesday, despite a global chorus that the panel has no jurisdiction.

The Chinese mainland neither accepts nor recognizes the award.