Nations reaffirm ruling invalidating China's claims in South China Sea

Key Points:

• The United States, United Kingdom, and 12 other Western and Asian countries reaffirmed that China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea are illegal based on the 2016 Hague arbitration ruling, which China rejects as "null and void."
• The joint statement condemned destabilizing actions in the disputed waters, emphasizing opposition to the use of force or coercion that threaten regional peace and security, and called for upholding freedom of navigation under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
• China continues to assert sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea, rejecting third-party dispute resolution and maintaining a strong military and coast guard presence, leading to repeated confrontations with claimant countries including the Philippines and Vietnam.
• The 2016 arbitration ruling favored the Philippines, stating there is no legal basis for China’s claims based on "historic rights," a decision upheld by the 27-nation European Union as a landmark for peaceful dispute settlement.
• The U.S. has reiterated its commitment to defend the Philippines under their mutual defense treaty if Filipino forces face armed attacks in the contested waters, underscoring ongoing tensions in this critical global trade route.