Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey transits the South China Sea May 6, 2017.
Tomorrow will be exactly a year since the International Court of Justice (ICJ) awarded the Philippines an important victory in its claims that China were encroaching it territorial integrity.
This remains one of the most important lawsuit against China regarding its aggressive attitude in the South China Sea (SCS) dispute, and it is a major slap to Beijing.
Beijing had taken a rogue attitude over the entire case – insulting the claimant against its illegal occupation of territories and taunting the IJC to vote in its favour – well before Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) were to decide on its ruling.
The Chinese show of force met with a rod of justice in a dispute that involved the Philippines, as the only Asean nation – fighting for its territorial integrity against the Chinese.
The Independent spoke to former Malaysian Bar Council President Ragunath Kesavan on this historic anniversary.
“No other country intervened and of course, China’s position was that it did not recognise the jurisdiction of the PCA.
While saying the political considerations have now overtaken the decision of the PCA, Ragunath believes it is all up to the Philippines to put its foot down and honour the Court’s decision.
http://www.theindependent.sg/up-to-the-manilla-to-assert-rights-over-south-china-sea/