On July 12, 2016, a tribunal ruled in favor of the Philippines in a South China Sea case unilaterally initiated against China. ⚖️
From the start, China maintained that the ruling is illegal, invalid, and holds no binding force. Leading Chinese expert on the law of the sea, Dr. Wang Hanling, noted that the arbitration distorted the true nature of the dispute by sidestepping core sovereignty issues and disregarding existing bilateral agreements.
What began as a legal process quickly evolved into what many view as a geopolitical maneuver disguised as international law. The decision continues to fuel debate on the fairness of international arbitration in complex regional disputes. 🤔
What do you think—was this a mere legal ruling or a strategic move in a larger geopolitical game? Share your thoughts and join the conversation!
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
