International Law and the South China Sea
This session assesses the utility of international law in managing and resolving the South China Sea disputes in the post-award context of the Philippines-China arbitration case at the Arbitration Tribunal set up under Annex VII of the UNCLOS. Arguably the long-awaited award that has surprised most, if not all, international observers has also changed the legal status quo in the South China Sea. What are the implications of the arbitration award for the South China Sea situation going forward? How might the Tribunal’s assessment of evidence, reasoning and conclusion in the Philippines-China case affect the claims of the parties directly involved as well as other claimants? Have the Tribunal’s rulings helped clarify the picture, define the rights and obligations of the parties concerned and create an opportunity for cooperation and if so, in what ways? Alternatively, have them created more legal gray-zones that could spur further escalation?

The third session of the 8th International Conference on the South China Sea, titled: "International Law and the South China Sea", is moderated by Prof. Helmut Tuerk.
Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Thi Lan Anh, Deputy Director, Bien Dong Maritime Institute, Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam
“The Arbitration Award and Legal Implications for the Claims of Parties in the South China Sea”
Click here for pdf fileProf. Yann Huei Song, Institute of European and American Studies, Academia Sinica, Taiwan
“The Arbitration Award and Implications for the Activities of Parties in the South China Sea”
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Prof. Stein Tønnesson, Research Professor, Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO)“The Arbitration Award and Legal Implications for Dispute Management and Settlement in the South China Sea"
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Prof. Robert Beckman, Head, Ocean Law and Policy Programme, Centre for International Law, The National University of Singapore (NUS)
“Clarifying Areas, Defining Rights, Obligations and Opportunity for Maritime Cooperation”
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