South China Sea: Beijing urged to step up pressure on the Philippines over rival claims or risk domino effect

Manila must know there is a ‘price to pay’ if it seeks second arbitration over Beijing’s South China Sea claims, observer tells forum on 2016 ruling

The Philippines and Vietnam are the most vocal critics of Beijing’s vast territorial claims over resource-rich waters under its ‘nine-dash line’

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Philippine coastguard crew prepare rubber fenders as a Chinese vessel blocks their way to a resupply mission at the Second Thomas Shoal in March. Photo: Reuters

Published: 10:00pm, 28 Apr 2024

China should ramp up the pressure to dissuade the Philippines from seeking a second arbitration on the disputed South China Sea, an observer said, warning that it might encourage other rival claimants to follow suit.

Wu Shicun, the founding president of China’s National Institute for South China Sea Studies, referred to a 2016 Hague tribunal ruling in Manila’s favour. “The 2016 arbitration ruling has already had a negative impact that can hardly be fully erased, but it’s very important for China to stop the Philippines from going to a second arbitration,” he told a panel discussion on the case on Saturday.

“Assuming that the Philippines gets it again, other countries could follow suit, for example, Vietnam.”

The panel discussion was held on the sidelines of the annual academic conference of the semi-official Chinese Society of International Law in the eastern city of Hangzhou.

The Philippines and Vietnam are the most vocal critics of Beijing’s vast territorial claims over the South China Sea, which it says is based on its historical “nine-dash line” – a U-shaped marking encircling much of the busy, resource-rich waterway. Malaysia and Brunei also have competing claims.