South China Sea is heating up, Japan and 13 countries reaffirm the Hague arbitration ruling

JAKARTA - Tensions in the South China Sea (LCS) are once again in the spotlight. Japan, the Philippines, the United States (US), along with 11 other countries officially reaffirmed the international arbitration ruling that canceled Beijing's unilateral claim over the resource-rich waters.

In a joint statement released on Sunday (12/7/2026), the 14 countries called the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague a "milestone" that is final, definitive, and legally binding for both China and the Philippines.

Review of the 2016 South China Sea Arbitration Ruling

Exactly a decade ago, on July 12, 2016, an international court in The Hague ruled that China's historical claim to the South China Sea through its "nine-dash line" policy had no legal basis at all.

The court officially confirmed the Philippines' claims and stated that both China's military and coast guard maneuvers in the waters had violated the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). However, to this day Beijing has remained firm in rejecting and ignoring the decision.

"China's rejection of this ruling is contrary to the principle of peaceful settlement of disputes and undermines the rule of law in the international community."

14 Countries Reject Force and Violence in Waters

In addition to Japan, the US, and the Philippines, this alliance is also supported by other major countries such as Australia and the UK. A total of 14 countries have expressed a firm stance and rejected all forms of unilateral actions that could undermine the stability of the Asia-Pacific region.

Main Focus of the Joint Statement of 14 Countries

Strong Rejection: All acts of destabilization, intimidation, violence, or coercion in the LCS area.

Urging dialogue: Asking the parties to the dispute to comply with international law and resolve the conflict through legal channels.

Rule of Law: Make UNCLOS the main basis for free navigation in international waters.

Philippine-China conflict in disputed waters

This joint statement comes amid a critical field situation. In recent years, incidents of collisions, water cannon shootings, and physical confrontations between Chinese coast guard ships and Philippine supply ships have frequently occurred near disputed shallow waters.

Through this affirmation, the international community urges Beijing to immediately comply with the 2016 arbitration ruling, lower military tensions, and return to the dialogue table to maintain peace in one of the world's busiest sea trade routes.