China Rejects 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Ruling on 10th Anniversary

The ruling, which favored the Philippines, remains a central point of friction in regional diplomacy, with Chinese officials demanding Manila abandon the legal victory to improve bilateral relations.

The 2016 Arbitral Ruling Explained

In 2013, the Philippines initiated arbitration proceedings against China under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). It ruled that China’s claims to historical rights over the maritime areas within the nine-dash line had no legal basis under UNCLOS.

Beijing’s Diplomatic Stance

Beijing has consistently refused to recognize the tribunal’s jurisdiction or the final award. In a recent commentary published in the *People’s Daily*, Jing Quan, China’s ambassador to the Philippines, reiterated Beijing’s position that the ruling is “thoroughly illegal.”

According to the ambassador, the arbitral award acts as a “stumbling block” for the two nations. Jing stated that for bilateral relations to return to a “right track,” the Philippines must “abandon illusions” regarding the ruling.

Regional Disputes and Current Stakes

The South China Sea remains one of the world’s most contested waterways. Beyond the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei also hold overlapping claims with China.

Summary of Key Developments

• 2013: The Philippines files an arbitration case against China under UNCLOS.
• 2016: The Permanent Court of Arbitration rules that China’s historical claims lack legal foundation.
• Current Status: China maintains the ruling is invalid and urges the Philippines to set it aside to normalize diplomatic ties.