On the 10th anniversary of the ruling, 14 countries and the European Union reject China’s claims to the South China Sea
Fourteen countries, led by the United States, on Sunday reaffirmed that China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea have no legal basis under international law, marking the 10th anniversary of a landmark arbitration ruling that Beijing continues to reject.In a joint statement, the US, UK, Japan, Australia, Philippines, Canada, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania and Slovenia said the July 12, 2016 award by an arbitration tribunal constituted under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) remains “final, legally binding and final.” The 27-nation European Union issued a separate statement describing the decision as a “landmark” ruling in the peaceful settlement of maritime disputes.But China reiterated that the decision was “null and void” and said that it “neither accepts nor recognizes” the court’s decision.
What did the 2016 referee say?
The Philippines initiated the arbitration case in 2013 after a standoff with China over the Scarborough Shoal. Although Beijing refused to participate in the proceedings, the court continued to operate under UNCLOS and issued its ruling on July 12, 2016.The court ruled overwhelmingly in favor of the Philippines, concluding that there was no legal basis for China’s claim to historical rights over most of the South China Sea under the so-called “nine-dash line.”
It also found that many of the maritime features claimed by China did not create extensive maritime zones under international law.The ruling did not resolve questions of sovereignty over the islands or coral reefs, but it clarified maritime entitlements under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which has been ratified by more than 170 parties, including China and the Philippines.Why does the South China Sea matter?The South China Sea is among the world’s most strategically important waterways, transporting nearly a third of global maritime trade each year.
It is also believed to contain significant oil and natural gas reserves and rich fishing areas.China claims almost the entire sea, overlapping claims with the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan. Competing claims have made the region one of the most volatile security hotspots in Asia.
States warn against coercion
The 14 countries said there was “no legal basis for China’s expansive maritime claims,” including those based on alleged historical rights, and reiterated their opposition to unilateral actions that undermine regional stability.“We reiterate our strong opposition to any destabilizing actions or unilateral measures, including by force or coercion, that threaten peace and stability in the region,” the statement said.Countries also criticized the use of coast guard vessels, military aircraft and maritime militias to intimidate or obstruct the legitimate activities of other countries, saying such actions put lives at risk and undermine regional security.
They called for the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law, while reiterating the importance of freedom of navigation and overflight.
China refuses to rule again
In response to the joint statement, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that the arbitration court and its ruling “seriously contradict the general practice of international arbitration” and violate China’s sovereign rights under UNCLOS.The ministry stressed that China “opposes and will never accept any claim or action based on these awards,” and reiterated that Beijing does not accept third-party dispute settlement or externally imposed solutions regarding the South China Sea.
Tensions remain high
The renewed diplomatic support for the arbitration ruling comes amid continuing confrontations between Chinese and Filipino ships in disputed waters. In recent years, Chinese coast guard vessels have repeatedly been accused of using water cannons, military lasers and dangerous maneuvers against Philippine resupply missions and fishing vessels.Separately, foreign envoys meeting in Manila called for stronger maritime cooperation, including joint exercises, intelligence sharing and capacity building to improve maritime domain awareness and support the rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region.The United States has repeatedly urged Beijing to comply with the 2016 ruling and reaffirmed that the mutual defense treaty with the Philippines applies to armed attacks on Philippine forces, ships or aircraft operating in the South China Sea.
