State media reports in the days preceding the ruling had likened it to “a piece of waste paper”. Other countries claim some or all of those chains, as well.
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“It’s true”, Kang Chao said. The ruling manifests the faithful compliance by the Philippine Government to the Philippine Constitution, which mandates that the “State shall protect the nation’s marine wealth in its…exclusive economic zone, and reserve its use and enjoyment exclusively to Filipino citizens”. “This ruling delivers justice for all of them as well”, Leonen said. Lacking the muscle to assert its claim, the Philippines went to the arbitration tribunal and refused to be baited into bilateral talks with China, then it strengthened ties with the United States. Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said in a statement, “We won’t accept any of their so-called materials, no matter what they are”, quotes Reuters.
Vietnam, meanwhile Tuesday, accused Chinese vessels of sinking a Vietnamese fishing boat in disputed waters. The five fishermen were rescued by another trawler around seven hours later.
A professor of the Asian political economy says the worldwide arbitration ruling rejecting China’s claims to large swaths of the South China Sea could be a “transformative moment” in the region.
Story compiled with information from Xinhua and The Associated Press.
Sen. Leila de Lima said the ruling is a welcome affirmation of the country’s right to its exclusive economic zone (EEZ). One held up a poster that said: “Philippine sovereignty, non-negotiable”.
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.
“China neither accepts nor recognizes it”, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
It said of the judgment: “China neither accepts nor recognises it”.
The statement said the unilateral initiation of the arbitration case was an act “of bad faith”.
MFA also called for the implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and a legally-binding Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. But the court – without police or military forces or a system of sanctions at its disposal – can’t enforce its ruling, so its potential impact remains unclear.
The United States is also major player in the region and has sent warships and military aircraft around the South China Sea, including near disputed reefs and shoals, citing worldwide law and freedom of movement but triggering harsh warnings from China. Six governments have overlapping territorial claims in the South China Sea – China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei.
The court said Beijing’s claim of virtual sovereignty over almost all the South China Sea under a so-called “nine-dash line” runs contrary to UNCLOS, which sets a country’s maritime boundaries 22 kilometers from its coast, and control over economic activities up to 370 kilometers from its coast.
“This decision can and should serve as a new opportunity to renew efforts to address maritime disputes peacefully”, the U.S. State Department said in a statement.
Richard Heydarian, a political analyst at De La Salle University in Manila, said the judgement was a “clean sweep” for the Philippines, with the court deciding that China had “violated prevailing global law on multiple levels”. The convention is an worldwide treaty both China and the Philippines have signed.
Earlier more than 100 left-wing activists marched to the Chinese consulate in metropolitan Manila yelling, “Philippine territory is ours, China get out”. Those cases could increase diplomatic pressure on Beijing to reduce its presence in the South China Sea.
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While the decision is seen as a major legal declaration regarding one of the world’s most contested regions, China immediately rejected it as a “farce” and the true impact is uncertain given the tribunal has no power of enforcement.
