China Rejects South China Sea Ruling as “Waste Paper”

Beijing has dismissed the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea as invalid, following a statement from the Philippines marking the ruling’s ninth anniversary. Tensions remain high in the region over maritime claims.

Beijing’s Firm Stance

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson stated definitively that China views the “award” as “nothing but a piece of waste paper that is illegal, null and void, and non-binding.” The spokesperson affirmed that China does not accept or recognize the ruling and will not accept any actions based upon it.

Key Objections

The spokesperson outlined several reasons for China’s rejection. Primarily, the spokesperson said the ruling violates international law because the Philippines initiated arbitration without thorough prior consultations with China. According to the spokesperson, this breaches the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), which stipulates peaceful resolution through consultation between concerned sovereign states.

The spokesperson also argued that the “award” contravenes the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). They asserted that the Philippines abused the UNCLOS dispute settlement mechanism by disregarding China’s 2006 declaration excluding maritime delimitation from compulsory arbitration.

Island Status Dispute

Further, the spokesperson contended that the “award” runs counter to the basic facts of the South China Sea, because the arbitral tribunal erred in ascertaining facts and applying the law. The spokesperson said that the “award” incorrectly characterizes Taiping Dao, the largest island in the South China Sea, as a rock, thus impacting claims to exclusive economic zones.

China’s Commitment to Peaceful Resolution

China’s spokesperson stated that China remains committed to resolving disputes peacefully through negotiation and consultation with concerned countries. They further cited China’s commitment to working with ASEAN countries to implement the DOC fully and effectively and to establish a Code of Conduct for peace and stability in the South China Sea.

Call for Restraint

The spokesperson urged relevant countries to cease referencing the “illegal ‘award,’ still less making infringement and provocation,” warning that such actions would be counterproductive. As of 2024, the U.S. Geological Survey estimates that the South China Sea holds approximately 11 billion barrels of oil and 190 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, making the region a vital economic and strategic interest (USGS).

The situation remains sensitive as regional actors navigate competing claims and interests in the South China Sea.