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?