BEIJING -- China called for both sides of the Taiwan Strait to jointly safeguard territorial sovereignty and maritime interests on Monday, in response to a statement by Taiwan authorities regarding the South China Sea over the weekend.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said Chinese people on both sides of the Strait have the responsibility and duty to do so.

The statement by Taiwan authority, released on Sunday, said Taiwan will not accept the ruling by the Arbitral Tribunal on the jurisdiction and admissibility of the South China Sea.

The tribunal, based in The Hague, ruled on Thursday that it had jurisdiction over the case brought by the Philippines.