| Photo by Sasun Bughdaryan on Unsplash
NEW YORK — On the tenth anniversary of the Philippines–China Arbitral Tribunal Award, the Philippines and a coalition of partner governments issued a joint statement reaffirming the landmark ruling and urging continued adherence to international maritime law in the South China Sea.
The statement—released on July 12—was backed by the United States, Japan, Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, France, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, and the European Union, among others. The governments emphasized that the 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) is “final and legally binding” and remains a critical foundation for maintaining peace and stability in the region.
A Decade After the Award
The Arbitral Tribunal Award, handed down on July 12, 2016, invalidated China’s expansive “nine-dash line” claim over most of the South China Sea. The tribunal found that China had no historic rights to resources within areas falling inside the line and ruled that several maritime features claimed by Beijing were low-tide elevations or rocks that did not generate extensive maritime zones. The decision also affirmed the Philippines’ sovereign rights within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), particularly in areas around the West Philippine Sea.
China has continued to reject the ruling, but maritime law experts widely recognize the award as a definitive interpretation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Support From Partner Governments
In their joint statement, partner governments reiterated their support for the Philippines and the broader international legal order. The United States reaffirmed its commitment to mutual defense obligations under the 1951 MDT, stating that armed attacks on Philippine vessels in the South China Sea would trigger treaty provisions. Japan and Australia echoed similar positions, stressing that the award strengthens regional security and the rules-based maritime order.
European partners—including France, Germany, and the EU—highlighted the ruling’s importance for freedom of navigation and unimpeded commerce. Canada, the UK, and New Zealand likewise underscored that the award contributes to global stability and should guide the peaceful resolution of disputes.
South Korea and the Netherlands added that the decision reinforces UNCLOS as the primary legal framework governing maritime rights and responsibilities.
Philippine Response
The Philippine government welcomed the joint statement, saying the broad international support demonstrates that the award is not merely a bilateral matter but a global concern tied to international law, trade routes, and regional security. Officials reiterated that the ruling will continue to guide the country’s diplomatic and security posture in the West Philippine Sea.
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As tensions persist in contested waters, the tenth anniversary statement signals a unified call from the international community: the Arbitral Tribunal Award remains a cornerstone of maritime law and must be respected.
