An international tribunal has ruled against Chinese claims to rights in the South China Sea, backing a case brought by the Philippines. The Permanent Court of Arbitration said there was no evidence that China had historically exercised exclusive control over the waters or resources. China called the ruling "ill-founded" and says it will not be bound by it. China claims almost all of the South China Sea, including reefs and islands also claimed by others. The tribunal in The Hague said China had violated the Philippines' sovereign rights. It also said China had caused "severe harm to the coral reef environment" by building artificial islands. China's Island Factory Mysteries and maritime claims In pictures: How the ruling affects the livelihood of Filipino fishermen Why is the South China Sea contentious? Flying close to China's new islands Rivalries underneath the South China Sea The ruling came from an arbitration tribunal under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which both countries have signed. The ruling is binding but the tribunal, the Permanent Court of Arbitration, has no powers of enforcement. Beijing South China Sea claims rejected by court - BBC News
There's some interesting takes on this situation on a web site I read from time to time and thought I'd pass the site along for those who may have an interest.... The Diplomat The focus of this site is all about Asia - just Asia. Has stuff about the PI, too. V/R, nwlivewire
Sorry. Short on time & figured those who have an interest in the Asia Pacific Region will go to the web site and see that there are a variety of topics and thoughts relevant to many nations who share common issues in this region. I like this site as it allows me to stack blocks of information on specific issues through the viewpoints and perspectives each nation may have on that issue. This allows me to see/understand better the many sides of a single issue which many nations may have. So if you like to grab some information blocks and do your own stacking of them, this can be a useful site to read from time to time. V/R, nwlivewire
