China on Sunday rejected renewed support from the United States, the United Kingdom and 12 other countries for the 2016 international tribunal ruling on the South China Sea, calling the award “illegal”, “null and void” and insisting it has no binding force.
The response came after a 14-nation coalition, led by the United States and the Philippines, issued a joint statement marking the 10th anniversary of the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s ruling, reaffirming that the decision remains “final, legally binding, and definitive” and stating there is no legal basis for Beijing’s expansive maritime claims.
“Japan is not a party in the South China Sea and is in no position to pass judgment on China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea,” the ministry said.
“China’s sovereignty and relevant rights and interests in the South China Sea were established in the long course of history, and are solidly grounded in the law,” the ministry said. The ministry further said, “In rendering the ‘award’, the ‘arbitral tribunal’ exceeded its authority and abused its jurisdiction. In their joint statement, the 14 countries described the 2016 ruling as a “significant milestone” and reaffirmed their commitment to a rules-based, free and open Indo-Pacific. They also said there was no legal basis for Beijing’s sweeping maritime claims based on alleged historic rights. “We reaffirm our strong opposition to the use of coastguard, military and maritime militia forces to harass, obstruct, or intimidate lawful operations by other states at sea or in the air, and in so doing endanger the safety of personnel and fishermen and seriously degrade regional peace and security,” the statement said.
Responding to the statement, China’s foreign ministry defended its territorial claims and rejected the tribunal’s authority. China also objected to Japan’s inclusion in the joint declaration, saying the statement wrongly portrayed Tokyo as a legitimate stakeholder in the South China Sea dispute.