PH, 13 other countries reaffirm no legal basis for China's South China Sea claims
Ten years after the landmark South China Sea Arbitral Award, the Philippines and 13 partner countries have reaffirmed that the ruling is final and rejected any legal basis for China's maritime claims.
In a joint statement, the governments of the Philippines, Australia, Canada, Estonia, Germany, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, New Zealand, Romania, Slovenia, the UK, and the US reiterated their support for the July 12, 2016, unanimous decision on South China Sea.
"We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific that is peaceful, stable, and rules-based," they began.
They added that "maritime disputes must be resolved peacefully and in accordance with the [United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea]."
"We reaffirm that the Award rendered ten years ago by the Arbitral Tribunal is a significant milestone and is final, legally binding, and definitive between China and the Philippines with respect to the maritime entitlements and claims addressed by the Arbitral Tribunal," they highlighted.
The countries further maintained that "there is no legal basis for China's expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea, including those based on 'historic rights'" as they underscored the "importance of upholding freedom of navigation and overflight."
The signatories went on to express strong opposition to actions that they said undermine peace and stability in the region, particularly those involving the use of force or coercion in disputed waters.
They likewise opposed the use of coast guard, military, and maritime militia vessels to "harass, obstruct, or intimidate" the lawful maritime and aerial operations of other states, saying such actions "endanger the safety of personnel and fishermen and seriously degrade regional peace and security."
"We urge the parties to abide by the 2016 Award and resolve disputes peacefully through dialogue and other lawful mechanisms in accordance with international law," they said.
The South China Sea is a highly contested waterway through which up to one-third of global maritime trade passes. Reports say China's claims cover over 80% of the area.
However, the 2016 arbitral ruling handed down by a tribunal in The Hague found that China's sweeping "nine-dash line" claim has no legal basis under the UNCLOS. The case was initiated by the Philippines in 2013 after escalating maritime tensions, including a standoff at Scarborough Shoal.
Beijing has consistently rejected the ruling and refuses to recognize or comply with the decision.
