China’s legal setback may spur more sea claims
Amsterdam, July 14: China’s resounding defeat in a legal battle with the Philippines over territorial claims in the South China Sea could embolden other states to file lawsuits if Beijing refuses to compromise on access to the resource- rich region.
There are several avenues for litigation that countries could pursue rather than risk any action at sea that would worsen military tensions, legal and security experts said.
The ruling is binding for Beijing and Manila, but it also set a legal precedent by determining that UNCLOS rules take precedence over China’s historic claims. That bolsters the treaty’s standing in international law, experts said. “It will
Mr Duterte said without providing a timeframe. “I have to consult many people, including President Ramos. I would like to respectfully ask him to go to China and start the talks.” Mr Ramos, who forged close relations with China when he was in office from 1992 to 1998, hinted he might not accept the offer. Earlier Thursday, the Philippines offered a hardened stance with a statement detailing foreign secretary Perfecto Yasay’s priorities when he attends a two- day AsiaEurope summit, known as have enormous impact on future jurisprudence and on the perceived legitimacy of other claims in the South China Sea and around the world,” said Gregory Poling, head of the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative. Although China rejected the Hague court, which has no enforcement powers, Poling said that the vast majority of international arbitration awards over the last century have eventually been respected.
“Reputational damage matters to modern states,” he said. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said the Asean grouping of Southeast Asian countries had put forward a dual track proposal. ASEM, in Mongolia along with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang starting on Friday.
“Secretary Yasay will discuss within the context of ASEM’s agenda the Philippines’ peaceful and rules- based approach on the South China Sea and the need for parties to respect the recent decision,” the foreign affairs department said. Vietnam, another claimant in the sea, protested China’s recent activities in the disputed South China Sea, saying they seriously violate Vietnamese sovereignty.