On cam: China schools NATO's Rutte for stoking 'fake' fears about Beijing's arctic expansion |Russia

China has once again rejected the 2016 South China Sea arbitration ruling, calling it "illegal, invalid and non-binding." Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Beijing will never recognize the ruling and urged the Philippines not to use it to complicate negotiations on a South China Sea Code of Conduct with ASEAN. Mao also defended China's activities in the Arctic, rejected claims of a "China threat," and highlighted Beijing's cooperation with Global South nations. Additionally, China announced plans to strengthen ties with the Solomon Islands during an upcoming official visit by the country's foreign minister.