The energy-significant South China Sea remains in dispute, as China continues to claim almost the whole territory, despite that fact that it was ruled in July, at an arbitration tribunal in The Hague, that China had no title over the South China Sea. China’s ongoing claims to this territory reflect its energy insecurity, which is […]

Hinting that China needs to abide by the Hague tribunal’s verdict on the South China Sea, Indian envoy to Vietnam P. Harish on Friday advocated that all parties must respect the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) while emphasizing that New Delhi has constantly advocated that freedom of passage in international […]

MANILA, Philippines – More Chinese barges have appeared at Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal off Zambales, and for that President Duterte said he would confront Beijing’s Ambassador Zhao Jianhua. Duterte said he received intelligence reports last Thursday regarding the growing presence of Chinese barges in the area, about a hundred nautical miles from the coast of Zambales […]

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte revealed Friday that he has received a report that China had recently brought in new barges to disputed areas in the Scarborough Shoal, wondering aloud if there is any new construction about to take place there, but said he will not initiate multilateral discussions on the South China Sea at […]

Coral rubble remains after “chopper” boats killed branching corals, which were subsequently further broken up by storm waves of blast fishing. John McManus/Rosenstiel School, University of Miami Just over a month ago, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague issued two important rulings. One soundly rejected Beijing’s extensive claim of sovereignty in the South […]

There is now a consensus among practitioners and analysts alike that the rules and institutions that have governed international affairs so effectively since the end of World War II are increasingly dysfunctional or altogether malfunctioning. This alarming phenomenon is broadly referred to as the “unravelling” and “disorder” of the global system. It afflicts the world […]

Philippines Secretary of Foreign Affairs Perfecto Yasay said his government was “grateful” for India’s support in South China Sea dispute. He said its new President Duterte would meet PM Modi for the first time next week. The Philippines government has hailed India’s support for its case against China on the South China Sea and has […]

Support for China’s Position Appears Reduced Post-Verdict South China Sea dispute has implications for shipments of export cargo and import cargo in international trade. China appears to have lost support for its legal positions in the South China Sea dispute since an arbitration panel in the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines in a […]

The July 12 tribunal ruling on a maritime dispute case brought by the Philippines against China helped to clarify international law on oceans and sets a high bar for what constitutes islands. It will have repercussions for many regional states’ claims. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) contains the most […]

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines is no longer concerned about getting the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to issue a unified statement on the South China Sea as the July 12 ruling of an international court invalidating China’s massive maritime claim is enough “legal foundation” to support Manila’s position, Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay […]