The Chinese government has once again reiterated its rejection of the 2016 arbitral ruling issued under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which recognized the Philippines’ sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian dismissed the ruling, describing it as “meaningless” and invalid.
“The ‘award’ is nothing but a piece of paper that is illegal, null and void and non-binding,” said Lin during a recent press briefing.
He further urged other nations to refrain from referencing the arbitral decision or taking actions that Beijing sees as “infringement and provocation.”
The landmark ruling in 2016, handed down by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, invalidated China’s sweeping claims over the South China Sea and affirmed that Beijing had violated the Philippines’ rights within its exclusive economic zone.
As of writing, the Philippine government and the Department of National Defense have not issued a formal response to China’s latest remarks.