How does the response of China to the award of the Permanent Court of Arbitration on South China Sea contrast with that of India to the India-specific awards of the same tribunal recently?
In July 2016, the tribunal of five judges at Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration issued an award in Republic of Philippines v. People’s Republic of China, a case filed in 2013 by Manila concerning maritime entitlements and the status of features in the South China Sea, among other issues.The Tribunal ruled that China’s nine-dash line claim and accompanying claims to historic rights have no validity under international law. China rejected the award.
Beijing’s response to the PCA ruling on South China Sea contrasts with Indian acceptance of the PCA judgment on its maritime boundary dispute with Bangladesh. The PCA ruling of July 2014 had awarded nearly four-fifths of the disputed maritime waters to Bangladesh. India showed its commitment to international law by accepting the ruling, unlike China, a difference that will be appreciated by other countries as India seeks its place at various global forums.
