TAIPEI, July 12 -- Taiwan's major political parties on Tuesday refused to accept the award in the South China Sea arbitration and called for safeguarding China's sovereignty.

Taiwan's Kuomintang party said in a press conference that the South China Sea Islands are the inherent territory of China that China has clear strategic interests there, and should not give up any sovereignty.

The Kuomintang called the arbitration "telling lies and shameful," saying that the Party was absolutely unsatisfied with it, and will not accept or recognize it.

People First Party issued a statement saying that islands and reefs in the South China Sea are China's inherent territory and it will not accept the so-called award.

The statement called for enhanced military preparations in the South China Sea.

New Party chairman Yok Mu-ming said the arbitration award is not legally binding. He said the two sides of the Taiwan Strait should join hands to safeguard China's inherent territory in the South China Sea.

Taiwan authority said it "will not accept" the award.

The tribunal in The Hague issued its decision on Tuesday, despite a global chorus that the panel has no jurisdiction.

The Chinese mainland neither accepts nor recognizes the award.