Philippines launches website regarding South China Sea ruling.

The Philippines has launched a website commemorating the 7th anniversary of the Permanent Court of Arbitration's ruling rejecting China's "nine-dash line" claim in the South China Sea.

The website was launched today by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs to commemorate the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruling on the South China Sea on July 12, 2016, which rejected China's unilateral "nine-dash line" claim of sovereignty over 3.5 million square kilometers in the South China Sea.

The website houses documents related to the 2016 PCA ruling, as well as statements and frequently asked questions on the matter. The homepage features a portion of a speech by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. from last year, in which he declared that the country would "not relinquish even an inch of territory to a foreign power."

A U.S. Coast Guard (left) and Philippine Coast Guard vessel sails in the South China Sea in August 2021. Photo: USCG

"The ruling declared that claims of historical rights were legally invalid because they exceeded the limits set by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)," the website stated.

A spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry stated on the same day that China does not accept or recognize the 2016 South China Sea ruling and does not agree with any actions based on the ruling.

The South China Sea region. Graphic: CSIS

China unilaterally drew the "nine-dash line" to claim sovereignty over a large area of ​​the South China Sea, contrary to international law and the 2016 PCA ruling.

The Philippines and China have agreed to establish a hotline to handle tensions in the disputed waters. However, Philippine President Marcos has also strengthened defense ties with the US to counter China.

Earlier this year, President Marcos allowed the U.S. access to more Philippine military bases and is also planning to conduct joint patrols at sea.

Ngoc Anh (According to Nikkei/Reuters )

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