Ten years after South China Sea ruling, 14 nations issue joint statement

2026-07-12

10 years since South China Sea arbitral ruling

It was 10 years on the 12th since the arbitral tribunal under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea rejected China's claims of sovereignty in the South China Sea. On the same day, the Philippine government issued a joint statement with the governments of Japan and the United States, among others, saying it opposed attempts to change the status quo unilaterally by force.

14 countries stress binding force

In addition to Japan and the United States, a total of 14 countries took part in the joint statement, including Britain, Germany, Italy, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. It again said the 2016 arbitral ruling was final and legally binding between China and the Philippines.

No legal basis for the Nine-Dash Line

Describing the ruling as an 'important milestone', it reaffirmed the arbitral tribunal's finding that the 'Nine-Dash Line', under which China claims almost all of the South China Sea as its own territory, has no legal basis. It also strongly opposed any unilateral action in the South China Sea and called for an end to acts that hinder or intimidate lawful activities at sea and in airspace, undermining peace and security in the region.

Japan also criticises China's stance

It strongly urged China to comply with international law and peacefully resolve disputes through dialogue. Japan's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi also issued a statement on the 12th, saying China's refusal to accept the ruling runs counter to the principle of peaceful dispute settlement under international law and undermines the rule of law in the international community. He also explicitly said he highly values the position taken by the Philippine government.

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