A U.S.-backed group of 14 nations and the 27-member EU said Sunday the 2016 Hague arbitration remains final and legally binding, rejecting China’s expansive South China Sea claims as illegal.
The joint statements also condemned coercive actions at sea — including coast guard, military and maritime militia harassment — and called for freedom of navigation and disputes to be settled under UNCLOS.
Beijing answered that the award is “null and void,” saying it neither accepts nor recognizes third-party dispute settlement over the waters.
The ruling stemmed from a case the Philippines filed in 2013 after a shoal standoff, and tensions have since intensified with water-cannon attacks, laser use, collisions and close air encounters.
Is China's economic influence more powerful than military might in asserting its maritime claims?
With the ruling ignored for a decade, is force replacing law in the world's most vital waterway?
How can allies counter China's 'grey-zone' tactics without escalating to open conflict?
A Decade After the 2016 South China Sea Ruling: Global Support, Chinese Rejection, and the Ongoing Struggle for Rule of Law
Overview
On July 12, 2026, the 10th anniversary of the 2016 arbitral ruling on the South China Sea saw a strong international reaffirmation of the award’s validity. A broad coalition of nations issued a joint statement, urging all parties to abide by the ruling and resolve disputes peacefully. They condemned destabilizing actions, especially the use of coast guard and military forces to harass others, warning these moves threaten regional peace and security. Despite this unified stance, China responded with unwavering defiance, rejecting the ruling and maintaining its claims, highlighting the ongoing tension and the importance of upholding international law in the region.