Donald Rothwell, vice dean of Law Department of Australian National University delivers speech at Saturday’s conference Legal issues relating to Awards of the Arbitral tribunal established under annex VII of UNCLOS 1982. — Photo daidoanket.vn
HCM CITY — International experts encouraged Việt Nam to keep close watch on the upcoming developments of the Philippines’ lawsuit against China in order to choose for itself a suitable solution to the East Sea issue.

The recent ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) on the Philippines’ lawsuit against China and its claims in the East Sea has produced a regional and international precedent, giving Việt Nam a foundation for future negotiations or a lawsuit against China.

Donald Rothwell, vice dean of Law Department of Australian National University, who spoke to local press on the sideline of Saturday’s conference Legal issues relating to Awards of the Arbitral tribunal established under annex VII of UNCLOS 1982, said that one of the approaches Việt Nam should rely on is the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, where there are 21 prestigious international judges.

The 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea is also the best measure for Việt Nam to consider, said Rothwell.

Việt Nam needs to carefully study the Philippines’ lawsuit in order to achieve satisfactory results in future negotiations with China, suggested the expert. If the negotiation cannot be successful, Việt Nam should deploy stronger measures, he added.

In response to a question about China refusing the jurisdiction of Permanent Court of Arbitration, Rothwell said it is groundless because China accepted and committed to respect and follow the legal procedures of UNCLOS when it joined the convention in 1982.

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