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Thirteen countries back Manila as arbitral award marks 10th year

Article by J. Salazar

Published on July 13, 2026 06:30AM



MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and 13 other countries have called on China to abide by the 2016 arbitral award on the West Philippine Sea, reaffirming that the ruling is “final, legally binding, and definitive” between the Philippines and China on the maritime claims covered by the tribunal. ¹ ² ³


Joint stand


In a rare joint statement released on July 12, Australia, Canada, Estonia, Germany, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, New Zealand, Romania, Slovenia, the United Kingdom, and the United States joined Manila in backing the award. ¹ ² ⁴


The statement also urged all parties to resolve maritime issues peacefully under UNCLOS and rejected destabilizing actions that threaten regional peace and security. ² ⁴ ⁵


Philippines’ position


For Manila, the 2016 ruling remains a legal anchor in asserting sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea.³ ⁶

The Philippines has repeatedly said the award is final and no longer open to denial or rebuttal, while Beijing continues to reject it as invalid. ⁶ ⁷


What the award said


The arbitral tribunal, constituted under UNCLOS, found no legal basis for China’s sweeping historic claims in the South China Sea and said some Chinese actions harmed the marine environment. ⁶ ⁸


The ruling also affirmed the Philippines’ rights within its exclusive economic zone, including areas around Pag-asa Island, Ayungin Shoal, and Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine Sea. ⁶ ⁹


Why it matters


The new joint backing matters because it extends support for Manila beyond Asia, with Japan the only Asian state in the statement. ¹ ²


For Filipino fisherfolk and maritime agencies, the issue is not just legal but practical, given repeated harassment, dangerous maneuvers, and restricted access to fishing grounds in Philippine-claimed waters. ¹⁰ ¹¹


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Notes:


¹ Philippine Star. “10 years after Philippines' arbitral win, 14 nations back award final, binding.” https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2026/07/12/2541635/10-years-after-philippines-arbitral-win-14-nations-back-award-final-binding


² Manila Bulletin. “14 nations reaffirm 2016 arbitral ruling, reject China's expansive South China Sea claims.” https://mb.com.ph/2026/07/12/14-nations-reaffirm-2016-arbitral-ruling-reject-chinas-expansive-south-china-sea-claims


³ Rappler. Joint Statement 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award Anniversary. https://www.rappler.com/philippines/joint-statement-2016-south-china-sea-arbitral-award-anniversary/


⁴ AP News. 14 nations and the EU reaffirm 2016 ruling invalidating China’s claims in South China Sea. https://apnews.com/article/philippines-south-china-sea-disputes-arbitration-6ca48fecb19b61901b05a3f86f70be54


⁵ The Strait Times. South China Sea joint statement says China's maritime claims have no basis. https://www.nst.com.my/amp/world/world/2026/07/1487018/south-china-sea-joint-statement-says-chinas-maritime-claims-have-no


⁶ Department of Foreign Affairs. https://dfa.gov.ph/statement-on-the-8th-anniversary-of-the-2016-arbitral-award-on-the-south-china-sea. https://dfa.gov.ph/dfa-news/statements-and-advisoriesupdate/30865-statement-of-foreign-affairs-secretary-enrique-a-manalo-on-the-6th-anniversary-of-the-award-on-the-south-china-sea-arbitration


⁷ India Today. Philippines marks 2016 South China Sea ruling as China keeps defying it. https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/south-china-sea-ruling-anniversary-philippines-renews-stand-against-china-ptag-2944809-2026-07-10


⁸ BBC. South China Sea: Tribunal backs case against China brought by Philippines. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-36771749


⁹ Supreme Court E-Library. NAMING THE WEST PHILIPPINE SEA OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/6/53502


¹⁰ Manila Bulletin. China urges PH to 'cease provocations,' warns of 'strong measures' in West PH Sea. https://mb.com.ph/2026/04/05/china-urges-ph-to-cease-provocations-warns-of-strong-measures-in-west-ph-sea.


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