China Rejects International Ruling on South China Sea on 10th Anniversary

Japan and 13 other nations have jointly called on China to respect a landmark 2016 international arbitration ruling concerning the South China Sea. The joint statement, issued on the 10th anniversary of the ruling, emphasizes the importance of adhering to international law and the peaceful resolution of maritime disputes.

China's Foreign Ministry swiftly reacted to the joint declaration, dismissing the arbitral tribunal's decision. A spokesperson stated that the ruling is merely a "non-binding scrap of paper," underscoring Beijing's continued rejection of the tribunal's authority and its findings. This response reiterates China's long-standing position on the South China Sea, where it maintains extensive territorial claims that are contested by several neighboring countries.

The 2016 ruling, delivered by an arbitral tribunal under the Permanent Court of Arbitration, invalidated China's expansive claims in the South China Sea, which it refers to as the "nine-dash line." The tribunal found that China had violated the Philippines' sovereign rights within its exclusive economic zone. Despite the ruling, China has refused to recognize or abide by its decision, continuing its assertive actions in the disputed waters.

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non-binding scrap of paper