China’s actions in the South China Sea are seen as a deliberate attack on the international legal framework, according to a report. Despite claiming to adhere to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), China is accused of violating its key provisions, spreading misinformation, intimidating observers, and negotiating in bad faith. The report suggests that China prioritizes its interests over legal obligations.
The report, cited by Myanmar’s media outlet ‘The Irrawaddy,’ points out China’s alleged systematic breaches of the UNCLOS, a treaty it ratified in 1996. Specifically, China’s claim of sovereignty over the Scarborough Shoal in the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone is highlighted. The shoal, known as Bajo de Masinloc in the Philippines and Huangyan Island in China, has been under a permanent Chinese Coast Guard presence since 2012 due to its resource-rich nature and strategic location on international shipping routes.
Despite an international arbitration ruling in 2016 that rejected China’s expansive claims over the shoal and recognized it as a traditional fishing ground for multiple nations, China has reportedly escalated its maritime activities. The report mentions that China has intensified its Coast Guard presence at the Scarborough Shoal, patrolling the area extensively, which raises concerns about its adherence to international law.
The report raises questions about China’s defiance of tribunal judgments, disregard for treaty obligations, and use of diplomatic pressure and disinformation to manipulate narratives. It emphasizes the need for coastal states like the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei to uphold international law in the South China Sea despite facing coercion and intimidation from China. The report concludes by urging the international community to consider the implications of China’s actions on maritime law and the enforcement of international agreements.
