The high seas could turn into lawless stretches if not for global rules like those of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos), which over 160 countries and the European Union support. Its purposes are entirely laudable: to provide a legal order for the oceans and to enshrine freedom of the […]

The disputed waters are rich in marine life and natural resources, including oil deposits, and form one of the world’s most heavily used shipping lanes. © Reuters MANILA — A United Nations court of arbitration said Wednesday it would pronounce its findings July 12 on a petition lodged by the Philippines against China in early […]

THE maritime dispute case between the Philippines and China over the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) will be decided on July 12. “The Tribunal will issue its Award on Tuesday, 12 July 2016 at approximately 11 a.m. CEST, The Hague,” the court said in a statement late Wednesday night. “The Award will first be […]

THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS – A little-known international tribunal will early next month step into a bitter dispute over the South China Sea, handing down a ruling which risks further inflaming tensions between Southeast Asian nations and China. The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) — the world’s oldest international tribunal for the peaceful resolution of disputes […]

An international court will issue a judgement next month on the Philippines’ case against China over disputes in the South China Sea. But China’s made it clear that it will have none of it. Manila is contesting China’s expansive territorial claims in the South China Sea, which the Philippines contends are invalid under international law. […]

MANILA, Philippines — The new Philippine foreign secretary made sensitive remarks Thursday about territorial disputes in the South China Sea that were broadcast live by the state-run TV network before it abruptly cut away from its coverage of the new president’s first Cabinet meeting. Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay’s remarks during the meeting touched on how […]

In this Friday, June 10, 2016, file photo, a protester has her cheek painted with a slogan outside the Chinese Consulate during a protest against China’s occupation and island-building in the disputed Spratly Island group in the South China Sea, in Makati city’s financial district east of Manila, Philippines. A case brought by the Philippines […]

There’s a major Asian power that refuses to compromise in its far-reaching territorial claims in oil-rich waters, despite appeals from its smaller neighbor to resolve the dispute in an international court. But it’s not China throwing its weight around in this case. According to the tiny nation of Timor-Leste, Australia has steadfastly rejected attempts to […]

Jakarta (ANTARA News) – Deputy chairman of the Commission I of the House of Parliament Hanafi Rais asks the government to maintain intensive communications with other ASEAN countries on developments in South China Sea. “Indonesia has to protect its sovereignty over its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in South China Sea and for that purpose intensive […]

China remained defiant on Thursday over a looming ruling on territorial claims in the South China Sea, repeating that it would not accept an international tribunal’s decision set to be handed down later this month. The Permanent Court of ­Arbitration in The Hague said on Wednesday that it would deliver its findings on July 12. […]