UK backs joint South China Sea statement on 2016 arbitration ruling

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UK backs South China Sea ruling

Highlights

UK joins 13 countries including the U.S., Japan, and Australia in reaffirming the July 12, 2016 South China Sea arbitral tribunal award as legally binding between China and the Philippines.
The joint statement declares there is no legal basis for China's expansive South China Sea claims based on historic rights and stresses the importance of UNCLOS-guaranteed freedom of navigation and overflight.
Signatories strongly oppose unilateral or coercive actions by military, coast guard, or militia that threaten regional security, urging compliance with the 2016 award and support for lawful commerce.

Joint position on the 2016 ruling

As reported by GOV.UK, the UK signs a joint statement issued with the governments of the U.S., Australia, Canada, Estonia, Germany, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, New Zealand, the Philippines, Romania and Slovenia to mark the tenth anniversary of the July 12, 2016 South China Sea arbitral tribunal award.

The statement says the participating governments reaffirm their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific that is peaceful, stable and rules-based, anchored in international law. It also states that maritime disputes must be resolved peacefully and in accordance with the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, and reiterates that the 2016 award is final, legally binding and definitive between China and the Philippines on the maritime claims addressed by the tribunal.

The signatories further reaffirm the tribunal's finding that there is no legal basis for China's expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea, including claims based on historic rights. They also underscore the importance of freedom of navigation and overflight, as well as other internationally lawful uses of the sea under UNCLOS.

Regional security and maritime trade implications

The joint statement reiterates strong opposition to unilateral or destabilizing actions, including the use of force or coercion, that threaten peace and stability in the region. It also opposes the use of coast guard, military and maritime militia forces to harass, obstruct or intimidate lawful operations by other states at sea or in the air, warning that such actions endanger personnel and fishermen and degrade regional security.

The governments urge parties to comply with the 2016 award and resolve disputes through dialogue and other lawful mechanisms under international law. They add that they remain committed to a shared vision with ASEAN of the South China Sea as an area of peace, stability, cooperation and prosperity supported by lawful commerce.

Our earlier article on the UK joining the EU’s €60 billion defence loan scheme for Ukraine explained how the move would deepen defence co-operation with European partners while improving access for British firms to Ukrainian contracts. It also highlighted the broader UK–EU reset and the push for larger, more coordinated defence procurement as Europe seeks to sustain support for Ukraine.

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