China claims it has historic right of ownership to almost the entire South China Sea, despite a 2016 international arbitration ruling saying Beijing’s claim had no legal basis under international law. But the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei also have overlapping claims to parts of it. DWF’s Head of Transport, Jonathan Moss, has explained China does not have the right to claim islands in the waters as its own.
When asked whether China does have a right over the disputed waters, Mr Moss told Express.co.uk: “Not according to the judgement by the permanent court of arbitration in The Hague.
“They derived the judgement from the provisions of UNCLOS which is the statue which was brought into force in December, 1982.
“Certaintly if you look at the judgement which is over 100 pages long, it suggests that China doesn’t have the right to do that.”
Mr Moss also noted there is a real risk of further conflict in the waters.