IF the Philippines has 22 countries on its side, China has claimed that “more than 100 countries” are supporting them in debunking the ruling of the Arbitration Tribunal in the South China Sea.
Wang Wenbin, spokesman of China’s Foreign Ministry, said The Hague-based arbitral body’s decision invalidating their nine-dash line claim “has been widely questioned by the international community.”
“China’s position of not accepting or recognizing the award has won the support and understanding of more than 100 countries,” he said.
Wang was reacting to a query during the daily press conference in Beijing about the statement of support issued by countries including the United States, Japan, Australia, United Kingdom and France for the Philippines on its legal victory against China before international arbitration court.
According to the ad hoc court formed by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, China cannot claim maritime rights over rocks and land features in the South China Sea using the nine-dash line from old maps. China had refused to participate during the hearings, questioning the jurisdiction of the PCA over their maritime claims.
The Chinese foreign ministry official branded the 2016 ruling as “illegal award” on the “so-called South China Sea arbitration.”
“Many internationally authoritative law experts and scholars, including former president of the International Court of Justice and former judge of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, have written articles to point out the serious flaws in the award,” Wang said.
He also cited “visionary people in the Philippines (who) publicly noted that the award is illegal and wrong.”
The Chinese Embassy in Manila, meanwhile, accused the US of being the “mastermind” behind the arbitration ruling.
“The US ropes in allies to play up the issue each year on the anniversary of the illegal award to gang up against China and to exert pressure, and force China into accepting the award. We are firmly against this,” the Embassy said in a separate statement.
In reference to 22 countries which showed support to the Philippines Wednesday during the seventh anniversary of the arbitral ruling, the Chinese Embassy “urges” them to:
- “respect the China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea
- “stop using the South China Sea issue to drive wedges among regional countries
- “refrain from being a troublemaker to peace and stability in the South China Sea.”
Beijing reiterated its earlier statement that the arbitration ruling “violated the principle of consent, exercised its jurisdiction ultra vires and rendered an award in disregard of the law.”
“This is a grave violation of UNCLOS and general international law. The award is illegal, null and void. China does not accept or recognize it, and will never accept any claim or action based on the award. China’s sovereignty and rights and interests in the South China Sea were established in the long course of history, and are solidly grounded in history and the law. This shall under no circumstances be affected by illegal awards,” Wang said.
The Chinese diplomat said that China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations are “fully implementing” the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea in “an effective way.”
“All parties have agreed to handle the South China Sea issue by following the dual-track approach, namely, maritime disputes should be handled properly by countries directly concerned through dialogue and consultation and peace and stability in the South China Sea should be jointly safeguarded by China and ASEAN countries,” Wang said.
Asean and China are “actively advancing negotiations” for a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC).
“We urge relevant parties to continue working with China to properly handle and manage maritime differences through dialogue and consultation, and work with regional countries to uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea,” Wang added.
Sought for comment, the US Embassy in Manila said they would not rather comment on the statement by their Chinese counterpart and deferred the media to the speech of Ambassador Mary Kay Carlson delivered during the Stratbase ADR Institute Forum Wednesday.