Talking ASEAN on post-PCA’s ruling on East Sea disputes

Scholars and experts from research institutes and the Foreign Ministry of Indonesia discussed the opportunities and challenges in ensuring ASEAN’s central role in maintaining peace and stability in the region and its response to the ruling. 

Attending the event, Vietnam Ambassador to Indonesia Hoang Anh Tuan underlined the importance of the talk because the PCA’s ruling was made just two weeks ago and the involved parties are waiting to see its impact before making proper response. 

Participants said that China, the US, and ASEAN all hoped the ruling would not impact regional stability despite different their levels of satisfaction.

On July 12, the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague, the Netherlands, issued its ruling on a case brought by the Philippines against China’s nine-dash line claim in the East Sea, saying China’s claims to historic rights for waters within the nine-dash line are contrary to the 1982 ​ United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. 

The tribunal also found no legal basis for China to claim historic rights to resources within the nine-dash line.