"China is standing pat on its decision to reject arbitration by an international tribunal that will begin formal hearings this week to resolve a long-seething feud between Beijing and Manila over the South China Sea, the Chinese ambassador to Manila said Monday. The five-member tribunal starts hearings in The Hague on Tuesday to address China's contention that the arbitration body does not have authority to assume jurisdiction over Manila's complaint against Beijing. A high-level delegation that includes the Philippines' solicitor-general and the heads of the foreign, defense and justice departments, along with Washington-based lawyers hired by Manila, has flown to The Hague to argue the Philippines' case. The days long hearings are crucial because the Philippines' complaint against China could no longer be heard if the tribunal declares it has no jurisdiction over the case," writes the Associated Press.