On the tenth anniversary of the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s unanimous ruling against Chinese claims in the South China Sea, a coalition of 14 countries issued a joint statement reaffirming their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The nations, including Australia, Japan, the Philippines, the UK, and the US, described the 2016 award as ‘final, legally binding and definitive’ and rejected China’s expansive maritime claims. The statement also condemned China’s use of coast guard and military forces to harass, obstruct, or intimidate other states, endangering safety and regional peace. China dismissed the ruling as a ‘political farce’ with no legal force. The EU separately backed the decision, increasing diplomatic pressure on Beijing.
Article and image source: philippinetimes.com
