Today´s
ruling against China by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, a Hague-based
UN-related institution, should be noted as a milestone. It concerns one of the
potentially explosive areas of the globe, the South China Sea. It recognises
that China´s maritime claims to about 85% of that sea are not founded. Furthermore,
the Tribunal stated that China has repeatedly violated the sovereign rights of
the Philippines and caused considerable harm to the maritime environment.
This
decision will have a serious impact on further developments in the region.
China
has not accepted the ruling and will continue its policy of military control of
the area. That will clash with the interests of the Philippines and also of the
other neighbouring countries. It will also aggravate the naval and political
tensions with the US.
But
China will be on the wrong side of the international law. And it should be
constantly reminded that as a Permanent Member of the Security Council it has
special international responsibilities. These responsibilities start with
respecting the UN-backed tribunals and their patiently worked out decisions.
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