China says no deal on sovereignty and territory

BEIJING - China said on Friday that it will never trade off its sovereignty and territory.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang made the comment while dismissing a Philippines media report that by promising to provide certain benefits, China had tried to persuade the Philippines not to submit the South China Sea dispute to the international court of justice.

"The report is totally groundless," Qin said at a daily news briefing.

The Chinese government's determination to safeguard territorial sovereignty and maritime interests is unswerving, Qin said.

He added that China firmly opposes and will never accept the Philippines filing the South China Sea dispute for international arbitration.

China expects to solve the dispute bilaterally.