In a recent statement, China has firmly rejected the arbitration ruling concerning the South China Sea, emphasizing that the decision undermines international legal frameworks and maritime governance. The official report, released on Thursday, seeks to highlight the political context surrounding the arbitration tribunal and identify historical inaccuracies within the ruling.
Compiled by the Huayang Center for Marine Cooperation and Ocean Governance, the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, and the Chinese Society of International Law, the report delves into the core of the disputes in the South China Sea. It scrutinizes the jurisdictional aspects of the arbitration ruling and offers legal interpretations regarding historical rights and the status of various islands and archipelagos in the region.
The report also examines the composition of the arbitration tribunal, aiming to reveal what it describes as fundamental errors in the ruling and its negative impact on the international legal order. Highlighting that it has been eight years since the Philippines initiated unilateral arbitration, China argues that the ruling has exacerbated tensions rather than resolving territorial and maritime disputes.
China criticizes the arbitration decision for weakening the integrity, balance, and seriousness of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and for eroding confidence in the convention's mechanisms for dispute resolution. The report condemns certain countries for supporting the arbitration ruling, labeling it a strategic misstep that threatens China's relationships with ASEAN nations.
Reiterating its stance, the Chinese government stated it will continue to follow its policy of \"non-participation\" and \"non-acceptance\" regarding the arbitration ruling. China declared that it does not recognize the ruling as legitimate and will not acquiesce to any claims or actions derived from it.
As tensions in the South China Sea remain high, China calls for all parties involved to engage in negotiations and adhere to rule-based approaches to manage and resolve disputes, aiming to maintain peace and stability in the region.
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China reaffirms its rejection of South China Sea arbitration ruling
cgtn.com
