Japan, the United States, the Philippines and 11 other countries have released a joint statement marking the 10th anniversary of an international tribunal¡¯s dismissal of China¡¯s territorial claims in the South China Sea.
The countries stressed that the July 12, 2016, decision by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ¡°is a significant milestone and is final, legally binding, and definitive between China and the Philippines¡± regarding their territorial row.
¡°We urge the parties to abide by the 2016 Award and resolve disputes peacefully through dialogue and other lawful mechanisms in accordance with international law,¡± they said.
Referring to China¡¯s increasing expansionist moves in the South China Sea, the countries reiterated their ¡°strong opposition to any destabilizing or unilateral actions including by force or coercion that threaten peace and stability in the region¡± and to ¡°the use of coast guard, military, and maritime militia forces to harass, obstruct, or intimidate lawful operations.¡±
The countries also include Australia, Canada, Estonia, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, New Zealand, Romania, Slovenia, and Britain.
Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi issued a separate statement on the 10th anniversary of the South China Sea arbitration, saying that China¡¯s refusal to accept the decision ¡°undermines the rule of law in the international community.¡±
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