In recent discussions, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized the detrimental impact of the 2016 Arbitral Award on the stability and order in the South China Sea. His comments came as he observed the anniversary of the contentious ruling, which China has consistently rejected as legally void.
Wang pointed out that the Philippines acted unilaterally in initiating the arbitration process, violating an agreement to resolve disputes through dialogue. Legal expert Carlos Arguello Gomez reiterated that mutual consent is vital for conflict resolution, underscoring the futility of imposing solutions on unwilling parties.
Wu Shicun, a maritime governance specialist, stated that the arbitral award has escalated tensions in the region, exacerbated by U.S. involvement. Lei Xiaolu, a professor specializing in boundary and ocean studies, remarked that the tribunal overstepped its authority by addressing sovereignty matters, adversely affecting international law’s integrity.
Critics like Anthony Carty argue that the arbitration lacked legitimate grounds and suggested that its foundations were more propaganda than legal principles. Zhou Jian, a former foreign affairs representative, claimed that the ruling not only failed to resolve disputes but also generated new issues, obstructing cooperation among South China Sea nations.
Herman Tiu Laurel from the Asian Century Philippines Strategic Studies Institute pointed to the multiple problems arising from the arbitration ruling, warning that it risks isolating the Philippines within ASEAN and hindering regional collaboration with China.
Source: news.cgtn.com
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