TOKYO - Japan, the Philippines, the United States and 11 other countries on Sunday reaffirmed an international arbitral ruling 10 years ago that invalidated Beijing's sweeping claims in the South China Sea and described them as having "no legal basis."
In a joint statement, the countries described the ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague as "a significant milestone" and one that is "final, legally binding, and definitive between China and the Philippines with respect to the maritime entitlements and claims" addressed by the tribunal.
On July 12, 2016, the tribunal ruled that China has no historic rights to resources in the South China Sea based on its so-called "nine-dash line" claim, upholding the Philippines' claim that China's actions in the disputed waters violated the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea.
China has rejected the decision by the court. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement Sunday that the ruling is "a piece of waste paper that is illegal, invalid and nonbinding," urging relevant countries to respect Beijing's territorial sovereignty in the South China Sea and stop "undermining peace and stability" there.
In a statement issued separately the same day, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said that for China not to accept the ruling goes "against the principle of peaceful settlement of disputes" and "undermines the rule of law in the international community."
The Chinese Foreign Ministry said it "strongly deplores and firmly opposes" Motegi's statement, maintaining that Japan is "not a party in the South China Sea" and is "in no position to pass judgment on China's territorial sovereignty" in the sea area.
Noting that Japan illegally occupied islands and reefs in the South China Sea during World War II, the ministry said Tokyo's attempts to "meddle" in the matter heighten people's vigilance against its "neo-militarism" agenda.
Amid a bilateral row over Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's comments on Taiwan, a self-ruled island claimed by Beijing, China has been stepping up its criticism of Japan's defense buildup policies.
The 14 countries, which include Australia and Britain, also reaffirmed their "opposition to any destabilizing or unilateral actions, including by force or coercion that threaten peace and stability in the region."
Chinese and Philippine vessels have clashed in recent years near disputed shoals in the South China Sea.
The 14 countries urged the concerned parties to abide by the ruling and resolve disputes peacefully through dialogue and other lawful mechanisms in accordance with international law.
