Professor Ezequiel Ramoneda, coordinator from the La Plata University’s Centre for Southeast Asia Studies, has hailed the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague, the Netherlands, regarding the Philippines’ lawsuit against China.
In his article published on the Resumen Latinoamericano newspaper, he said the ruling provides an important legal precedent for the East (South China) Sea sovereignty disputes involving Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, besides China and the Philippines.
He underscored the economic and strategic significance of the East Sea, describing it as an important navigation route that is rich in fishing and fuel resources.
Ramoneda criticised China’s disregard for the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea signed by the country and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in 1992, evidenced by its occupation of the Scarborough Shoal in 2012 as well as the expanded construction on artificial islands.
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