WASHINGTON D.C., July 6, 2016 (Xinhua) -- Former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte speaks during a dialogue on South China Sea issue in Washington D.C., the United States, July 5, 2016. One week ahead of the July 12 ruling over the South China Sea case initialed by the Philippines, a group of former Chinese and American officials and experts on international law and foreign relations held a dialogue in Washington to discuss the ruling's legality, possible reactions and its implications on the China-U.S. relations. (Xinhua/Bao Dandan)