In response to a joint statement issued by 14 countries including the US, Japan, and the Philippines on the 12th to 'commemorate the 10th anniversary of the South China Sea arbitration ruling,' both the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and state media responded sternly.
July 12 marked the 10th anniversary of the ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague on the South China Sea arbitration case filed by the Philippines. On the same day, the Philippines, the US, Japan, and 14 other countries released a joint statement reaffirming that the award is legally binding, which drew strong dissatisfaction from China.
According to Ta Kung Pao, on the 12th, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement, reaffirming China's sovereignty and historical rights over the islands in the South China Sea. The statement emphasized that, in the 10 years since the 'award' was issued, not only has it failed to resolve maritime disputes between China and the Philippines, but it has also become a tool for the Philippines to expand its territorial and maritime claims, as well as an excuse for outside forces to intervene in the South China Sea and stir up the situation. The US and other outside countries have continued to strengthen military deployments in the South China Sea, acting recklessly and fanning the flames. Such acts of militarization and coercion are the main challenges currently facing the South China Sea.
On the 13th, Chinese state media Global Times published an editorial titled 'Who Are the 14 Nations Trying to Intimidate? The Chinese People Don’t Believe in Evil Nor Fear It.' The article said the countries involved are disregarding justice and colluding together, aiming to undermine China’s sovereignty, security, and development interests: 'We solemnly declare: The Chinese people do not believe in or fear evil. We do not provoke trouble, but are not afraid of trouble.'
The article continued, 'Whether it is the Eight-Nation Alliance or the so-called ‘14-Nation Alliance,’ no foreign country should expect us (China) to bargain with our core interests. No one should expect us to swallow the bitter fruit of harm to China’s sovereignty, security, and development interests!'
On July 12, 2016, the South China Sea arbitral tribunal in The Hague ruled on the arbitration case filed by the Philippines, determining that China’s so-called 'nine-dash line' claim to historic rights in the South China Sea has no basis in international law, and affirming that the Philippines enjoys marine rights within its exclusive economic zone. Beijing has consistently refused to accept or recognize this ruling.
The joint statement by 14 countries reaffirms the content of the award above and firmly opposes China’s use of the coast guard and other forces to harass, obstruct or intimidate the lawful activities of other countries at sea or in the air.