Full coverage: The South China Sea Issue

Chinese Embassy spokesman, Zhu Haiquan has published an article in the Washington Post in response to a sensationalist editorial that warned Chinese activities in the South China Sea could "open the way to serious conflict in East Asia."

Zhu repeated China's stance that arbitration proceedings require the explicit consent of all parties concerned and committed to upholding international law in the South China Sea.

Zhu warned that a disputed arbitration opinion released earlier this year could open the door for arbitral abuse in the future. The Chinese spokesman added that territorial disputes in the South China Sea are not subject to the UN Convention on the law of the Sea. He urged the US to refrain from provocative military operations and not let the issue hurt bilateral relations.