Several nations such as the United States, Canada, and Japan joined the Philippines in commemorating the 6th anniversary of the Hague’s Arbitral Tribunal ruling that rejected China’s marital claims and supported the Philippines’ claims in the South China Sea.
US State Secretary Antony Blinken said that China must “cease its provocative behavior” in the region, adding that the US will continue to work with allies and partners, as well as regional institutions like Asean, to protect and preserve rules-based maritime order.
Meanwhile, Global Affairs Canada, which is in charge of Canada’s diplomatic relations, said that it is imperative that parties in the region show restraint and avoid unilateral actions, as these escalate tensions and undermine regional stability.
Japan emphasized that China’s claim despite the ruling “is against the principle of peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law, in particular [United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea or] UNCLOS.” It added that China’s alim also undermines the rule of law as a fundamental value of the international community.
“As the Tribunal’s award is final and legally binding on the parties to the dispute under the provisions of the… [UNCLOS], the parties to this case, the Philippines and China, are required to comply with the award,” the Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
A Pulse Asia survey held from June 24 to 27 showed that at least 89 percent of Filipinos “agree” that the Marcos administration “must assert rights over the West Philippine Sea as stipulated in the award.”
Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez clarified the position of the Philippines regarding the West Philippine Sea: “We want to solve issues peacefully and in keeping with international law.”
“President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. himself has recognized the significance of the 2016 Arbitral ruling, saying ‘it is not a claim’ but ‘a territorial right,’ even going so far as saying that we will not allow a single square millimeter of our maritime rights to be trampled upon,” he said.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said in a statement that the ruling is ”indisputable” and is “no longer within the reach of denial and rebuttal”.
“The Award is final. We firmly reject attempts to undermine it; nay, even erase it from law, history and our collective memories. At the same time we welcome the support of a growing list of countries for the Award,” Manalo said.
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