Centrum Stosunków Międzynarodowych - 12 July 2016: The Hague Tribunal rejected the claims of China on the South China Sea

The Philippines filed a lawsuit to the Permanent Court of Arbitration in Hague. It concerned the China's claims to treat a large part of the South China Sea as its own economic zone. Court rules in favor of Philippines over China and agreed that claims are unfounded. In 1940s China draw on the map „nine-dash line” that includes large stretches of the South China Sea. This time, China has appointed a demarcation line, which gave them sovereignty over almost the entire eastern part of the South China Sea to the island of Borneo. The Tribunal said it has no legal basis and it's unlawful under the UNCLOS convention. There was no evidence that China had historically exercised exclusive control over the waters or resources.

The main problem for the Philippines constituted the Scarborough Shoal and Spratlys. But not only China had this kind of claims. Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei also have competing claims in the region. In spite of the fact these territories are largely uninhabited, they may have reserves of natural resources around them. The sea is also a major shipping route which sees $5 trillion worth through each year.

The Court also found that Chinese patrol ships cruising in these waters threatened by collisions with Philippine fishing vessels. What's more, led by China artificial islands construction caused irreparable damage to the coral reefs.

The ruling is binding but the Permanent Court of Arbitration has no powers of enforcement. China called the ruling "ill-founded". China boycotted the proceedings and conducted before the Court had already declared that they do not comply with any judgment in this case.