- The Philippines' delegate underlines that there is no legal basis for China’s maritime expansion and its claims on historic rights.
- China's expansionist policy seeks absolute control over vast areas of the ocean —encompassing archipelagos belonging to the Philippines, Brunei and Vietnam— and restricts rights to fishing and the exploitation of seabed oil reserves (see the map detailing China's maritime ambitions at the end of this report).
United Nations, Sept.28 (DPnet).— The Philippines’ delegate, speaking a second time at the UN General Debate, said the 2016 South China Sea arbitration award was rendered by a tribunal constituted in accordance with annex seven of the UN Convention of the Law of the Sea.
Other States have joined his country to reiterate that the award between the Philippines and China is “final, legally binding and definitive”.
As such, there is no legal basis for China’s maritime expansion and claims on historic rights. “The fact that one party does not accept the award does not alter its legal character or the obligations arising from it, nor can unilateral assertions or subsequent domestic measures modify the maritime entitlements established under UNCLOS,” he said.
Therefore, maritime claims in the South China Sea must be in line with the Convention and disputes must be addressed peacefully and consistent with the UN Charter.
The red line shows the vast maritime area that China seeks to control.