Philippines marks ninth anniversary of South China Sea arbitral award

Today marks the ninth anniversary of the landmark arbitral award that decisively invalidated China's baseless nine-dash line claim in the South China Sea.

The Philippines reaffirmed its sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea at a forum hosted by a Chinese think tank, citing the 2016 ruling and emphasizing its legal weight under international law.

Current Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro highlighted that the arbitral award continues to shape global legal standards, as seen in recent citations by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.

The Philippine government has taken decisive steps under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s administration to enhance maritime security through laws such as the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, alongside bolstering military and coast guard capabilities.

A recent Pulse Asia survey found strong public support for asserting rights in the West Philippine Sea according to international law, underscoring the importance of defending national identity and maritime interests.