Govt hails United Nations tribunal ruling in sea dispute

It is unjustifiable for China to claim that “China’s sovereign rights [over the South China Sea] were formed in the course of history”, while establishing the so-called nine-dash line, which has no legal basis under global law, in the sea.

But in a position paper, it said the “essence” of the Philippines’ case is about sovereignty, which is beyond the arbitration court’s scope.

“The fact that the tribunal did not reject jurisdiction on anything in the case brought by the Philippines, and could end up ruling against it on all these counts, introduces uncertainty and anxiety for China”, said Bonnie Glaser, senior adviser for Asia at the Center for Strategic and worldwide Studies think tank.

The Hague court indicated that it did not need China’s participation to continue with the trial because both because both China and the Philippines are signatories of UNCLOS (the U.S. has not signed the convention.) It said it expected to reach a decision next year.

“We are talking about a final judgment being issued right in the middle of 2016, perhaps June of 2016, but I am only speculating at this point”, he said. The five countries are backed by United States in staking their claims countering that of China.

China’s naval chief has issued a serious warning to the United States navy against carrying out “provocative acts” in the South China Sea, two days after Washington vowed to again sail warships near disputed islands there. Its decision clears the way for Manila to argue the merits of its case.

The navy did not name the airstrip, but military experts said it was on Woody Island in the Paracels, which China calls as Nansha islands in the South China Sea.

This is the second time in a week that China’s sovereignty claims in the South China Sea have been challenged. The U.S. contests China’s claim as part of its support of regional allies such as Japan and South Korea, which also have territorial disputes with China.

China has expanded its territorial claims over hundreds of miles from its farthest island province of Hainan as it builds a 2,000 acre of land in the disputed area consisting of small dots of islands, reefs and shoals.

“Our people can be assured that those representing our country have been continuously preparing for this”, said Abigail Valte, spokesperson for the Philippine president Benigno Aquino III.

Taiwan is taking an interest in the case because it is one of the countries that claim all or parts of the South China Sea.

In October, the U.S. Navy was reported to be preparing to conduct “freedom of navigation” operations in the waters with U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter saying in September that his country “will fly, sail and operate wherever the worldwide law allows, as we do around the world”.

Cui Tiankai, China’s ambassador to the USA, said shortly after the incident that Beijing has to now seriously think about beefing up its defence capabilities in the region.