China remains defiant on 2016 arbitral ruling

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said China continues to disregard the landmark 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated its sweeping claims over the South China Sea, while also engaging in a sustained disinformation campaign to undermine the decision.

Speaking at the Paris Defense and Strategy Forum in France, Teodoro stressed that Beijing has not only ignored the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration but has also sought to distort it through coordinated misinformation efforts.

“Activities of China in this sphere are well publicized to the world because of the Transparency Initiative in the South China Sea and the West Philippine Sea (WPS), which has been entered into by several interested countries, particularly the Philippines,” he said.

“Yet the People’s Republic of China, upon which this Award is legally binding, not only continues to ignore but is actively waging a campaign of misinformation and disinformation at all levels to nullify it,” he added.

Teodoro described the arbitral award as historic, noting that it upheld the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea as the definitive framework for determining maritime entitlements.

He also pointed out that the ruling will mark its 10th anniversary on July 12.

Beyond disinformation, the defense chief said China has also attempted to influence domestic issues and political discourse to weaken the Philippines’ position in asserting its rights in the West Philippine Sea.

Despite these challenges, Teodoro reaffirmed the country’s resolve.

“Yet, my presence here signals the commitment of the Marcos Administration not to waver, but to stay the course for our own people and especially for future generations,” he said.

The Philippines secured the 2016 ruling at The Hague, which declared China’s expansive claims under its so-called nine-dash line as having no legal basis under UNCLOS. Despite this, Beijing continues its activities in contested waters, drawing repeated calls from Manila and the international community for adherence to international law.