Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro read out a note from a Chinese military attaché during the Seoul Defence Dialogue on 8 September. The note reiterated Beijing’s rejection of the 2016 South China Sea arbitration ruling. The ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague rejected China’s claims to historic rights over areas of the South China Sea that exceeded the maritime entitlements allowed under international law. China has rejected the ruling. Teodoro questioned why the note was delivered while he was speaking and said it showed “coercion, bullying and aggression”. Forum organisers said the note was passed by a Chinese military attaché through an event staff member. China later accused Philippine officials of “grandstanding and lying”.