Full coverage: The South China Sea Issue

African media outlets are reporting China's position on the South China Sea is gaining support among international experts. China has rejected Manila's attempt to let a European arbitration tribunal decide the issue, and has made clear that it will not accept or get involved in the disputed hearing. A growing number of media outlets have spoken out in support of China's stance. 

Liberia's In Profile Daily newspaper said China's position to peacefully and diplomatically settle the South China Sea issue through negotiation is gaining support from international law experts 

The paper cited legal experts from around the world, who believe that the arbitration will do little to resolve the issue because the European tribunal has no jurisdiction over the South China Sea-- and because Article 298 of UNCLOS explicitly states that China has the right not to get involved in arbitration proceedings

Two popular South African newspapers -- "The Star" and "Cape Times" -- published an article by well known commentator, Shannon Ebrahim, that called the arbitration just one more example of the U.S. meddling in regions far away from its shores, trying to weaken other nations, in order to maintain its global dominance

Ebrahim said China has international law on its side because it has territorial sovereignty over the four main archipelagos in the South China Sea.

Egypt's "Al Ahram" said the US is using the excuse of protecting freedom of navigation in the region in order to contain China's rise. It added that the US's stance ignores the fact that over 100-thousand cargo ships with valuable goods pass through the South China Sea each year without incident.