The tribunal further found that in building up artificial islands, China did not establish any valid territorial claims, but did cause severe harm to fragile ecosystems.
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In its ruling, the tribunal stated “China had violated the Philippines’ sovereign rights in its exclusive economic zone by (a) interfering with Philippine fishing and petroleum exploration, (b) constructing artificial islands and (c) failing to prevent Chinese fishermen from fishing in the zone”. In the meantime we call on those concerned to exercise restraint and sobriety.
Al Jazeera’s Marga Ortigas, reporting from Manila, said the Philippine government has “called for calm in terms of how to move forward after the decision despite now having gained leverage with this court ruling”.
China claims most of the South China Sea, even waters approaching neighboring countries, based on a vaguely defined “nine-dash-line” found on a 1940s Chinese map.
China’s state Xinhua news agency said China “does not accept or acknowledge” the tribunal or the ruling. The two airports, which are on Mischief Reef and Subi Reef, will reportedly help with personal transfers to the Spratlys.
The tribunal said that any historical resource rights China may have had were wiped out if they are incompatible with exclusive economic zones established under the United Nations treaty, which both countries have signed.
Beijing has called Washington’s involvement in the dispute the “greatest” threat to the region, accusing the U.S. of putting on a show of force by increasing its military strength and that of its allies in the region.
China has asserted a “nine-dash line” that has claimed large areas of the South China Sea since the end of World War II. Manila brought the case because China’s claims infringe upon its own 200-mile exclusive economic zone.
While the findings can not reverse China’s actions, it still constitutes a rebuke, carrying with it the force of the global community’s opinion.
Minutes after the issuance of the ruling around 5 a.m. EDT, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China ultimately junked the court’s decision, saying that “the award is null and void and has no binding force”.
President Xi Jinping said earlier this month that China would not compromise on sovereignty.
2012: China takes effective control of Scarborough Shoal after a tense standoff between Chinese coast guard ships and a Philippine naval vessel that had stopped a Chinese fishing boat to inspect it.
“The Tribunal concluded that temporary use of the features by fishermen did not amount to inhabitation by a stable community and that all of the historical economic activity had been extractive in nature”, the ruling said.
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Washington had carefully avoided taking a stance on the suit lodged by the Philippines against China’s maritime territorial claims, but when judgment came down, it urged both sides to abide by the result.
