In a strong statement marking the 9th anniversary of the controversial 2016 South China Sea "Arbitral Award," the Chinese Foreign Ministry reaffirmed its clear stance that the award is illegal, null, and void. The ministry described the award as "nothing but a piece of waste paper," emphasizing that it fails to comply with the basic principles of international law. 😢
The statement criticized the unilateral move by the Philippines, noting that the arbitration was launched without prior consultation with China and in direct violation of the mutual understandings for resolving disputes peacefully. This approach, according to the spokesperson, breached key international legal principles, including the doctrine of pacta sunt servanda and the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.
Further, the spokesperson argued that the arbitral tribunal exceeded its mandate by misinterpreting important elements of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), such as characterizing features like Taiping Dao inaccurately. Such errors, they warned, could have far-reaching implications on maritime rights and the global order if left unchallenged.
Despite criticisms from several internationally recognized legal experts, China remains committed to peaceful dispute resolution through dialogue, negotiations, and collaboration with ASEAN nations to uphold regional stability. In a final note, the spokesperson urged other countries to refrain from citing the discredited award in any future challenges or provocations. 😎
This development continues to spark discussions as stakeholders from around the world keep a keen eye on the evolving situation in the South China Sea.
Reference(s):
China says 2016 South China Sea 'arbitral award' violates intl law
cgtn.com
