The United States, the United Kingdom and 12 other countries reassert that China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea are illegal, pointing to a 2016 arbitration decision. In a joint statement, the countries say they reject actions they describe as destabilizing in the disputed waters and which they say threaten regional peace. The statement marks the July 12, 2016 ruling by a tribunal in The Hague established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The tribunal’s decision is described as final, legally binding and definitive. The case arose after the Philippines initiated arbitration in 2013 following a tense confrontation in the region, during which China effectively took control of a disputed shoal. China did not participate in the arbitration and continues to reject the ruling, asserting its position and defending claims over large parts of the sea, a major shipping route. The South China Sea remains a recurring flashpoint, with repeated territorial and maritime standoffs reported across the area.
US, UK and other nations reaffirm 2016 South China Sea arbitration ruling against China
The United States, the United Kingdom and 12 other countries reassert that China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea are illegal, pointing to a 2016 arbitration decision. In a joint statement, t...
- The US, UK, and 12 other countries issue a joint statement reaffirming the 2016 South China Sea arbitration ruling.
- They describe China’s expansive South China Sea claims as illegal under the 2016 decision.
- The 2016 ruling is by a tribunal in The Hague under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and is characterized as final and legally binding.
- The statement rejects ‘destabilizing’ actions in the disputed waters that threaten regional peace.
- China does not accept the arbitration outcome and continues to defend its claims.
MANILA, Philippines — The United States, United Kingdom and a dozen other Western and Asian countries reasserted on Sunday that China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea are illegal based on a 2016 arbitration ruling. A joint statement issued by the nations said they rejected “destabilizing” actions in the disputed waters that threaten regional peace. The announcement commemorated a July 12, 2016, arbitration ruling by a tribunal established in The Hague under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, saying the landmark decision is “a significant milestone and is final, legally binding and definitive.” China refused to join the arbitration initiated by the Philippines in 2013 after a tense standoff in the contested waters a year earlier that ended with Beijing effectively seizing a disputed shoal. Beijing rejected the 2016 ruling and continues to defend its claims to virtually the entire sea passage, a key global trade route that has long been feared as one of Asia’ most active flashpoints. The areas has been the scene of repeated territorial standoffs inv
1 hour agoThe United States, United Kingdom and a dozen other Western and Asian countries have reasserted that China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea are illegal
2 hours agoThe United States, United Kingdom and a dozen other Western and Asian countries have reasserted that China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea are illegal
2 hours ago
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