MANILA: The Philippines has asked China to respect an upcoming decision by an international arbitration tribunal on Beijing's claim to most of the South China Sea to show it does not regard itself as "above the law."

Reacting to criticism by his Chinese counterpart, Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said Monday that Beijing should foster a world order based on international law by heeding the expected decision.

The Philippines asked the tribunal to rule on the validity of China's vast claims in the South China Sea.

Last Thursday, Wang accused the Philippines of shutting the door on bilateral negotiations over the dispute and called Manila's move a "political provocation."

Del Rosario said, "If China does not heed our collective call, does it mean that China considers itself above the law?"