Coalition Reaffirms 2016 Arbitral Award on South China Sea
A coalition of 14 countries, including the United States and Japan, has jointly affirmed the 2016 international arbitral ruling that invalidated Beijing's expansive claims in the South China Sea, describing them as having "no legal basis." The joint statement was released on July 12, 2026, marking the tenth anniversary of the award issued by the Arbitral Tribunal constituted under Annex VII to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The signatories—Japan, Australia, Canada, Estonia, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, New Zealand, the Philippines, Romania, Slovenia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—reiterated their commitment to "a free and open Indo-Pacific that is peaceful, stable, and rules-based." They stated that the July 12, 2016 decision of the arbitral tribunal remains "final, legally binding, and definitive between China and the Philippines" on the maritime entitlements and claims covered by the case.
Key Findings of the 2016 Ruling
The countries reaffirmed 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.'" The 2016 ruling was a landmark as it was the first time an international tribunal had ruled on the legal validity of maritime claims in the South China Sea. The most significant part concerned China's "Nine-Dash Line," a map-based claim covering roughly 80 percent of the South China Sea. The Tribunal concluded that any historic rights claimed by China were extinguished if incompatible with the maritime zones established by UNCLOS.
The statement emphasized the importance of upholding freedom of navigation and overflight, as well as other internationally lawful uses of the sea, as reflected in UNCLOS. The signatories also expressed strong opposition to "any destabilizing or unilateral actions including by force or coercion that threaten peace and stability in the region." They opposed the use of coast guard, military, and maritime militia vessels "to harass, obstruct, or intimidate lawful operations by other States at sea or in the air," warning that such actions endanger personnel and fishermen and undermine regional peace and security.
EU Calls for Full Implementation
The European Union also issued a statement on Sunday, calling on parties involved in the South China Sea dispute to fully implement the landmark 2016 arbitral ruling. The EU High Representative said the award remains "final and legally binding" on the Philippines and China and "must be respected and fully implemented by the parties involved." The 14 countries urged parties to abide by the award and settle disputes peacefully through dialogue and other lawful mechanisms consistent with international law. They also reiterated support for ASEAN's vision of the South China Sea as "a sea of peace, stability, cooperation, and prosperity driven by vibrant lawful commerce." The Philippines currently holds the rotational chairmanship of the 11-member ASEAN.
China Rejects the Ruling
China has consistently rejected the decision and refused to recognize the ruling. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated on Friday, "China has stated repeatedly that the so-called award on the South China Sea arbitration is illegal, invalid, and has no binding force, and China neither accepts nor recognizes it, nor will it accept any claims or actions predicated on the so-called award." According to Xinhua commentary, Beijing has labeled the award a "poisoned legacy" and a "cynical parody of justice" that lacks legal legitimacy. China maintains that the tribunal was formed through a politically manipulated process that violated the principle of state consent and exceeded its jurisdiction. Beijing further accused the Philippines of acting in "bad faith" by unilaterally initiating the arbitration, breaching the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties and prior bilateral agreements to resolve disputes through direct negotiation.
Mao also noted that the formulation of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) is an important step to implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties and represents an important consensus between China and ASEAN countries. As per the Xinhua report, China contends that the ruling has been weaponized by "external powers" to contain its development and has only fueled confrontational behavior. Beijing urged Manila to cast aside this "absurd political manipulation" and return to bilateral dialogue, stating that no such ruling would ever undermine its territorial sovereignty or maritime interests in the South China Sea.
