Analyse
Historical records show that various powers, including Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan, have also claimed parts of the South China Sea, and the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling concluded that China’s historic claims have no legal basis under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The tribunal also found that China’s artificial island building and related activities violated the convention, making the assertion of legality inaccurate.
Achtergrond
China’s ‘nine-dash line’ claim overlaps with other nations’ exclusive economic zones, leading to ongoing disputes. In July 2016, an arbitral tribunal under UNCLOS ruled against China’s historic rights claim and deemed its land reclamation activities incompatible with international law. China has rejected the ruling, but it remains the prevailing legal interpretation among the international community.
Samenvatting verdict
The claim that the South China Sea islands have been Chinese territory since ancient times and that all construction activities are lawful is not supported by international law.