MANILA (Bernama-PNA): A coalition of 14 countries marked the 10th anniversary of the landmark arbitral ruling on the South China Sea (SCS) on Sunday, reaffirming that the decision remains legally binding.
According to the Philippine News Agency (PNA), in a joint statement marking a decade since the historic ruling, the Philippines and 13 other countries reiterated their commitment to "a free and open Indo-Pacific that is peaceful, stable, and rules-based.”
The other countries are Australia, Canada, Estonia, Germany, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, New Zealand, Romania, Slovenia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
The countries said the July 12, 2016, decision of the arbitral tribunal constituted under Annex VII of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) remains "final, legally binding, and definitive between China and the Philippines” on the maritime entitlements and claims covered by the case.
The joint statement underscored that maritime disputes must be resolved peacefully and in accordance with UNCLOS, while underscoring the importance of protecting freedom of navigation and overflight, as well as other internationally lawful uses of the sea.
The Philippines brought the arbitration case before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2013.
In its landmark decision, the tribunal invalidated China's expansive "nine-dash line” claim, ruling that Beijing's assertion of "historic rights” over most of the strategic waterway has no legal basis under UNCLOS. It also affirmed that features such as Panganiban Reef (Mischief Reef) and Ayungin Shola (Second Thomas Shoal) lie within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
The signatories also expressed strong opposition to "any destabilising or unilateral actions including by force or coercion that threaten peace and stability in the region.”
They likewise opposed the use of coast guard, military and maritime militia vessels "to harass, obstruct, or intimidate lawful operations by other States at sea or in the air,” warning that such actions endanger personnel and fishermen and undermine regional peace and security.
The 14 countries urged parties to abide by the 2016 arbitral award and settle disputes peacefully through dialogue and other lawful mechanisms consistent with international law.
They also reiterated support for ASEAN's vision of the South China Sea as "a sea of peace, stability, cooperation, and prosperity driven by vibrant lawful commerce.” -- BERNAMA-PNA
