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3h ago

Fourteen Nations Reaffirm Hague Award as China Rejects It on South China Sea Ruling’s 10th Anniversary

International backing strengthens Manila's legal case for a binding Code of Conduct with ASEAN.

People pass by an electronic board showing areas of the disputed South China Sea during a conference to mark the 10th anniversary of a 2016 arbitration ruling which invalidated China's expansive claims during a conference in Manila, Philippines on Friday, July 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Philippine Foreign Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro speaks as they mark the 10th anniversary of a 2016 arbitration ruling which invalidated China's expansive claims in the disputed South China Sea during a conference in Manila, Philippines on Friday, July 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
A China Coast Guard ship on the horizon through a telescopic view in Philippine-occupied Thitu Island in the disputed South China Sea, February 21, 2026. Picture taken with a mobile phone. REUTERS/Karen Lema
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong speaks in a videotaped message to mark the 10th anniversary of a 2016 arbitration ruling which invalidated China's expansive claims in the disputed South China Sea during a conferene in Manila, Philippines on Friday, July 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Overview

  • The joint statement, issued Sunday, July 12, renewed support from the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Australia and 10 other governments for the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal award and described the decision as final and legally binding.
  • Philippine leaders said they will use the award as the legal baseline to push for a legally binding ASEAN–China Code of Conduct to manage disputes and reduce dangerous encounters at sea.
  • Chinese state media, diplomats and official commentaries this weekend labelled the tribunal illegal and urged Manila to pursue bilateral talks, sustaining a sharp rhetorical offensive against the award.
  • Filipino fishermen report they remain effectively barred from Scarborough Shoal after years of confrontations that include water cannon, cut anchor lines and close blocking maneuvers by Chinese vessels, forcing many to fish nearer shore or change jobs.
  • Allies pledged continued maritime cooperation and security support to the Philippines, which could raise patrols and monitoring in the region and increase pressure on Beijing to change its tactics while talks on the Code of Conduct continue.