The U.S. pressed China to abide by an international tribunal’s rejection of its claim over much of the South China Sea, framing the ruling as an opportunity for Beijing to show it’s the “global power it professes itself to be.”

In unusually strong comments Tuesday after the decision by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, State Department spokesman John Kirby said the world was watching to see whether China would obey the decision over a waterway that hosts about $5 trillion in trade a year. The country’s leaders have already said they won’t accept the ruling in the case, brought by the Philippines but followed closely by nations across Southeast Asia.

“This is a legally binding decision and it’s our expectation and, you know, frankly it’s the world’s expectation, it’s not just the United States -- the world is watching now to see what these claimants will do,” Kirby told reporters. “The world is watching to see if China is really the global power it professes itself to be and the responsible power that it professes itself to be.”

Kirby’s comments reflected U.S. efforts to frame the ruling not as a discussion of the individual claims -- several countries claim sovereignty over parts of the South China Sea -- but as a matter of international law and order. The U.S. military has repeatedly sent ships near disputed waters as part of what it calls “freedom of navigation” maneuvers. The U.S. has also made clear it opposes China’s land reclamation and installation of military facilities on reefs and shoals there.

David Fuller's view

China has recklessly painted itself into this corner and some people may be wondering why? 

Unfortunately, it is a technique often used by authoritarian regimes: if their economy is weak, increase military spending and deflect domestic criticism by blaming problems on foreign interference.  This is a dangerous situation, not least because of China’s military power. 

China created this problem in the South China Sea so it also has the capacity to reduce tensions without the conflict that no one else wants.  If not, stock markets may be adversely affected and military concerns would fuel further gains by precious metals and industrial commodities.