14 nations reaffirm 2016 arbitral ruling, reject China's expansive South China Sea claims
Fourteen nations, including the U.S., Australia, and Japan, have issued a joint statement reaffirming the 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated China's expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea. The coalition emphasized the importance of international law and a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region.
Why it matters
This diplomatic move reinforces international pressure on China regarding territorial disputes and maritime sovereignty in a strategically vital waterway.
Fourteen countries reaffirmed on Sunday, July 12, the binding nature of the landmark 2016 South China Sea arbitral ruling, declaring once again that there is no legal basis for China's sweeping maritime claims and calling for disputes in the strategic waterway to be resolved peacefully under international law.
The article reports on a diplomatic statement; while the subject is contentious, the reporting focuses on the content of the joint declaration.
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