China's invalidation of arbitral award undermines rule of law –Japan gov't

As Japan joined the Philippines in marking the fifth year of its victory in the South China Sea case, the Japanese Foreign Ministry on Monday said China's disregard for the 2016 Hague ruling undermines the rule of law.

Five years after the ruling, China still rejects the international tribunal decision which invalidated its massive claims in the South China Sea.

"The claim by China that it will not accept the award is against the principle of peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law, in particular UNCLOS, and undermines the rule of law as a fundamental value of the international community. Japan strongly hopes that the parties’ compliance with the award will lead to the peaceful settlement of disputes in the South China Sea," the Japanese Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Japan also appreciated the Philippines' renewed commitment to peaceful settlement of maritime disputes in the South China Sea. The East Asian country cited President Rodrigo Duterte's statement before the UN General Assembly in 2020, in which he invoked Manila's victory over the West Philippine Sea.

It also praised Philippine Foreign Affairs Chief Teodoro Locsin Jr. in his June 2021 statement that the arbitral award is final and urged nations to comply.

Also, Japan said it would continue to coordinate with ASEAN and other countries to ensure maritime order and compliance to the rule of law in the Indo-Pacific region.

Despite his statement before the UN body, Duterte had downplayed the ruling, calling it a piece of paper that was fit to be thrown in the garbage.

He also said the Philippines will not withdraw its ships from its maritime territory but maintained that he will not go to war with China. — DVM, GMA News