A joint communiqué from these countries expressed their rejection of “destabilizing” activities in the contested waters, which pose a threat to regional stability.
This announcement marks the commemoration of the July 12, 2016, arbitration decision by a tribunal based in The Hague under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which termed the significant ruling as “final, legally binding, and definitive.”
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China did not participate in the arbitration that the Philippines initiated in 2013 following a tense standoff in the contested waters a year prior, resulting in Beijing taking effective control of a disputed shoal.
Beijing has dismissed the 2016 ruling and continues to uphold its claims over nearly the whole maritime area, a crucial global trade route that is considered one of Asia’s most volatile flashpoints. This region has experienced multiple territorial disputes involving China alongside the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan.
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“We reaffirm the Arbitral Tribunal’s ruling that there is no legal foundation for China’s extensive maritime claims in the South China Sea, particularly those asserted based on `historic rights,'” the statement articulated.
The arbitration tribunal primarily ruled in favor of the Philippines, stating that under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, “there was no legal basis for China to assert historic rights to resources” in the South China Sea outside its convention-recognized regular territorial zones.
The convention, generally acknowledged as the governing treaty for the world’s oceans and seas, became effective in 1994 and has been ratified by over 170 nations and parties, including China and the Philippines.
Alongside the US and UK, the other nations identified in Sunday’s communiqué included the Philippines, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Germany, Italy, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, and Slovenia.
“We reiterate our strong opposition to any destabilizing or unilateral actions, including those executed by force or coercion, that threaten peace and stability in the region,” they stated.
The countries emphasized “our strong opposition to the employment of coast guard, military, and maritime militia forces to harass, obstruct, or intimidate lawful operations by other states at sea or in the air, jeopardizing the safety of personnel and fishermen, and significantly undermining regional peace and security.”
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“Freedom of navigation and overflight, along with other internationally lawful uses of the sea as outlined in UNCLOS,” must be maintained, they asserted, mentioning that territorial disputes should be resolved peacefully in accordance with the 1982 UN convention.
China did not provide an immediate response on Sunday, but in a previous statement released through its embassy in Manila, Beijing asserted that it would never recognize the 2016 ruling, labeling it “illegal, null and void.”
“The award will not change the historical and factual basis for China’s sovereignty over the islands in the South China Sea and their adjacent waters,” the Chinese embassy in Manila remarked, adding that the ruling “will not lessen China’s determination to safeguard its sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.”
Territorial confrontations in the disputed waters have intensified in recent years, especially between Chinese and Philippine and Vietnamese forces and fishing fleets.
Chinese coast guard vessels and support ships have employed powerful water cannons, military-grade lasers, and aggressive blocking tactics against Philippine forces and fishermen from competing claimant nations, leading to collisions at sea and high-risk air encounters.
The United States has repeatedly urged China to adhere to the arbitration ruling.
Both the previous Biden and current Trump administrations have cautioned that Washington is obliged to defend the Philippines, its oldest treaty ally in Asia, if Filipino forces, vessels, or aircraft are subjected to an armed attack in the contested waters.
