NEW YORK — The Philippines has pushed back against Beijing’s demands to stop raising the South China Sea dispute in international forums, telling the United Nations that the 2016 arbitral award remains final and binding and that all maritime claims must adhere to international law.
The Department of Foreign Affairs highlighted Manila’s Right of Reply delivered on September 28 during the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. The statement directly countered Beijing’s push for the Philippines to stop bringing up the maritime row in multilateral venues.
In its response, the Philippine delegation emphasized that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) alongside the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award serve as the “twin anchors” of the country’s maritime policy and actions.
Manila pointed out that the decision handed down by an arbitral tribunal constituted under Annex VII of UNCLOS carries permanent legal authority under Article 296 of the convention and Article 11 of Annex VII.
“The award rendered by an arbitral tribunal constituted under Annex VII of UNCLOS is final and binding upon the parties,” the Philippines said.
The Philippine response followed Beijing’s own Right of Reply, in which Chinese representatives dismissed the 2016 ruling and argued against discussing South China Sea matters in multilateral settings. China maintained that Manila initiated the arbitration unilaterally, claimed the tribunal exceeded its mandate, reaffirmed that it does not recognize the ruling, and urged a return to bilateral talks.
Rejecting assertions that the legal victory expanded its territorial claims, Manila clarified that the tribunal simply applied UNCLOS principles to confirm existing entitlements.
“The Philippines reiterates that the award did not create rights for the Philippines beyond those provided by UNCLOS,” the Philippine delegation said.
The delegation noted that the tribunal invalidated historic resource claims within Beijing’s so-called nine-dash line whenever they exceed entitlements permitted under UNCLOS.
Manila also referenced the tribunal’s recognition of traditional fishing rights for Filipinos at the contested shoal, noting that environmental rules cannot be misused to infringe upon those rights or breach international law.
Emphasizing that upholding the arbitral decision goes hand in hand with respecting UNCLOS, Manila stated that the treaty’s framework safeguards freedom of navigation, overflight, lawful ocean uses, and global trade flow.
“The Philippines will continue to exercise its rights and discharge its obligations in accordance with international law,” it said, while calling on China to comply with UNCLOS and the 2016 award.
Furthermore, Manila dismissed suggestions that exercising sovereignty and jurisdiction within its own maritime zones amounts to provocation.
Philippine officials expressed continued concern over coercive actions at sea that infringe upon national rights and place Filipino vessels and crew at risk.