A United Nations (UN) Arbitral Tribunal has ruled against China in its claims to rights in the South China Sea, in a case brought by the Philippines.
In its ruling on Tuesday, the tribunal said there is no evidence that China had historically exercised exclusive control over the waters or resources.
China has said the ruling “ill-founded,” adding it will not be bound by it.
“The Tribunal concluded that there was no legal basis for China to claim historic rights to resources within the sea areas falling within the ‘nine-dash line,” the court said in a statement. “Having found that none of the features claimed by China was capable of generating an exclusive economic zone, the Tribunal found that it could—without delimiting a boundary—declare that certain sea areas are within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines, because those areas are not overlapped by any possible entitlement of China.”
The South China Sea dispute has been raging for years with rival countries wrangling over territory and waters but tension has steadily increased in recent years, with China claiming 85 percent while building islands and sending out naval patrols in the area.
The Spratly Islands and its many reefs are being claimed by China under its “nine-dash line” claim that covers nearly the entire South China Sea including parts of the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
China insists it has “historic rights” in asserting its ownership of the region believed to be rich in natural gas resources and also a vital trade route for international cargo ships.
Countries involved in the dispute include China, Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines and Malaysia.
But it was the Philippines that filed a case in January 2013 in the matter following a tense standoff between Chinese and Philippines ships at the disputed Scarborough shoal in April 2012.
The Tribunal, which is based in The Hague ruled that China had violated the Philippines’ sovereign rights and has caused “severe harm to the coral reef environment” by building artificial islands.
“The Tribunal further held that Chinese law enforcement vessels had unlawfully created a serious risk of collision when they physically obstructed Philippine vessels,” the statement said.
China was swift to condemn the ruling, with the state news agency Xinhua said that “as the panel has no jurisdiction, its decision is naturally null and void”.
The matter has been keenly observed here in Dominica with the government releasing a statement recently which called on the international judicial or arbitral bodies to fully respect the provisions of the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), including the Declarations made by the States Parties under Article 298 of the Convention.
“We also respect the right of all sovereign states, including states parties to the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, to seek settlement of the dispute by the means of their own choice,” the government said in the statement released on Friday, June 24.
Dominica is a close ally of China.
So when is Amrica gonna drop de bomb there and make it west china river???
We hope one day there will be an amicable end to this sea dispute.
Lord, let there be a solution and please put some peace between those countries.
“We hope one day there will be an amicable end to this sea dispute.”
How dotish; how sot are you? What amicable end are you talking about when the matter is already resolve in an International Court by the United Nations?
China lost, if the venture out to block any traffic in economic zone, or continue to lay claims to it, there will be a war which China cannot win! Cant you read Facts, the matter is settled, the conflict should be over unless China wish to defy the rest of the world body in the United Nations, to which China is a member!
That should have read “Skerrit keenly observed.”
I am one Dominicans will never like; but as I said; I am not looking for love, like friendship, nor thumbs up! My purpose is to simply state my opinions on any matter as I see fit.
This is one matter I have to state my opinion on and simply say what is going on in the South China economic zone is none of Skerrit’s nor the puppets in his circus business! While Skerrit is forcing his round head hole into a square hole, pretending his voice is heard in the conflict circles. Venezuela prevents our people from fishing in the waters around Bird island which belongs to us. Venezuela annex our island, Skerrit has failed to address the Bird island issue which is identical to the issue in the South China Sea.
Skerrit is so weak, rather than kissing up to Venezuela for handouts, he should have taken the Bird island issue to this very United Nation Arbitral Tribunal and let it settle the Ave’s island issue once and for all! We are a…
Interesting point to take bird island to UN
I have nothing to gain by saying negative things about China. However it is an exercise of my Ministry to caution individuals and organizations against others unworthy of their confidence.
Looking at China on the minus side I see:
Their stupidity in being ensnared by the opium trade.
Their lack of perception in being deceived by communism.
Their incredible cruelty in binding up the feet of their little girls because the old men thought it was sexy.
Their human rights violations.
Their under age (slave) sweat shop labor, and unsafe working conditions.
Their smog.
Their denial of the truth by claiming an historical “right” over property in the China South Sea.
Their refusal to accept the ruling of the UN Tribunal.
All this makes China dangerously unpredictable. Who knows how far they would go in their grab for territory and land if they had the support of one or more of their communist allies or rouge nations?
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill…
Why don’t these European Americans keep their backsides quiet in the country they stole? It is called The South China sea because of China.
Thats the most retarded thing I’ve ever heard.
But to follow up I guess you’re about 30 something and up, So make haste and end up in the grave. The smarter generation will run the world better than you.
We hope, if they do not ingest too much marijuana. They already want it legalized. Noting what is occurring in the world of all, in some years to come, generation down to other generations, I wonder what will happen to the world in general. Dominica is no exception.
Who called it the South China Sea
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill.
You must be dotish, or sot; if you are a Dominican you must know the meaning of dotish, and sot!
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!
Don’t you think Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, or Indonesia could have made the same claim to that economic zone?
So why the Philippines?
The China-men are also trying to Annex Taiwan, that is the reason they are play games with people like Skerrit with a dangling carrot in his face, so that when they annex Taiwan they will have broke and poverty stricken nations as Dominica to support them in the United Nations.
If China Annex Taiwan, they will take Malaysia and everything between, they will evade Vietnam because that nation can protect themselves military against China.
After Skerrit leaves, Venezuela next. I find them Chinese too modi.
Dominica has diplomatic relations with China, I’m not sure that qualifies as being a “close ally” of China..
Close enough. Dominica has to be careful not to offend China. China is helping Dominica. Only friends and sincere ones help friends. So you should consider them “a close ally.”
You are wrong again Facts, with you ignorant rhetoric. China is not helping Dominica one bit!
Skerrit borrowed money from China, to waste in Dominica. You need to learn, that the money was never deposit in Dominica’s treasury, the loans are on paper, the money is spent by the Chines themselves whom when they came to Dominica, brought along even the very food they eat, hence they spent no money on the island.
They brought in their pigs, and raise them for their personal use. They abuse our people in the process, only Skerrit knows how much he owes to China, but if you are impressed China is helping Dominica for free, I am here to tell you; you have the wrong impression, you are not properly informed!
back in the 80’s Hurricane ssang ” I’ll ask her”
let’s ask him in 2016 he may not even know he sold the country poor guy. when U r after money one loses track and it leads to lies crime whatever is necessary to see it thru.
It’s like the eagles 1977 hit Welcome to the hotel Carlifonia.
The part which is glued in my head is U can check out any time but U can never leave. very deep. one can apply it to getting into debt, opening up a ine of credit cards, begin stealing from ur employee be it Royal bank,credit union post office, a drug store, supermarket even from ur parents yes ur parents
like the song says “I don’t like to sleep alone- sad to say some folk do.
Think it was Paul Anka another 70’s hit.
I’m a barefoot man with not much education but…I dont need much education to see China stretching the joke…that’s like your neighbour claiming land all under the window of your house.
Our PM should be releasing a statement in support of china very soon.
Too late, he already did last week..
but I find China mody…most of the places they claiming literally bordering the Philippines and Malaysia
What happens in China stays in China, what does that have to do with us? Aren’t there better things to report?
I take it you doesnt watch world news?
U don’t even know we are part of the one China policy including
Hong kong. China got back HK from the British in 1999 or was it 2000..DA became part of China following the Memorandum of Understanding the population never saw nor will.
You kept your mouth shut when Skerrit made a big statement about the South China sea dispute! Boy you Dominicans under Skerritt not easy :)))))
Well if you think war between two major economic powers, China and Japan has nothing to do with you then I guess you’re a DUMB-inican.
That is one of the most ridiculous comment I ever heard . China is a world power trying to become the most dominant force in the world . How they act affects the entire world . So it is imperative that the world keep an eye on them everywhere and at all times .
Wherever we reside, we must take an interest. This dispute could culminate into a war. Consider what would ensue.
Many people from China and the Philippines reside in Canada and elsewhere in the world. I know a few of them. It would be heartrending for them if it broke out into a war.
We are the world and children/adults of the world. I do think it should be everyone’s concern. Furthermore, we are all brothers and sisters in Our Lord Jesus Christ and each others’ keepers. We should be concerned. This is why we are told to pray for world peace.
What affects a country whether far away, affects other countries and their nationals. We must not be self-centered. Peace perfect peace.
We need to take Bird Island to the United Nations Tribunal.
EXACTLY