15 December 2014

The Philippine government welcomes the publication by the US government of the study on China’s Maritime Claims in the South China Sea (SCS), particularly the conclusion that China’s nine-dash-line ‘does not accord with the international law of the sea.

The study’s factual account and analyses support the Philippines position on the need for peaceful clarification of maritime entitlements in the SCS, which the Philippines is seeking through third-party arbitration under UNCLOS.

The Philippines continues to advocate for a peaceful and rules-based settlement of disputes in accordance with universally recognized principles of international law.

Studies such as the one produced by US Department of State contribute to the substantive literature that supports the primacy and utility of the UNCLOS for the determination of maritime entitlements, and the peaceful settlement of maritime disputes. END