20 May 2017

News Story: Japan, New Zealand underscore arbitral ruling on South China Sea, angering China

By Patricia Lourdes Viray

MANILA, Philippines — Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and New Zealand Prime Minister Bill English have expressed concern over the disputed South China Sea following their meeting in Tokyo on Wednesday.

In their joint statement released after the meeting, the two leaders called on concerned parties to settle disputes by peaceful means in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and in light of the award issued by an international arbitral tribunal.

On July 12, 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration issued the award invalidating China's nine-dash line claim over the disputed waters. The court also ruled that Beijing violated its commitment under the UNCLOS for building artificial islands within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.

The Philippines, under the Duterte administration, has decided to set aside the ruling in settling the dispute with China.

Read the full story at PhilStar