South China Sea arbitration. The procedural strategy of the People´s Republic of China

Abstract

This paper summarizes the main procedural aspects of the arbitral resolution of the South China Sea Arbitration. Likewise, it analyses the default of appearance of China in the arbitral proceedings. The legal and practical consequences of the non-appearance of the respondent state in the arbitral proceedings are examined, specifically in this particular case, including the decision of the Tribunal regarding its jurisdiction. China adopted a certainly questionable procedural strategy, indeed it finally did not assure an absolute successful outcome.