Nations reaffirm 2016 arbitral ruling on South China Sea

National

THE Philippines, together with 13 other countries, reaffirmed the 2016 Arbitral Award on its 10th anniversary, describing the ruling as "final, legally binding, and definitive between China and the Philippines."

The joint statement was issued by Australia, Canada, Estonia, Germany, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, New Zealand, Romania, Slovenia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

In a report by Philstar, the countries declared, "We reaffirm the Arbitral Tribunal's decision that there is no legal basis for China's expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea, including those based on 'historic rights.'"

They also reiterated their opposition to actions that threaten peace and stability in the region and urged all parties to abide by the 2016 ruling and resolve disputes peacefully in accordance with international law.

In the same report, Philippine officials renewed calls to uphold the country's sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea, while a monument honoring Filipino fisherfolk defending the nation's maritime territory was unveiled in Quezon City to mark the ruling's 10th anniversary. (Feirnchae M. Lim, UP Cebu Comm Intern)