The Philippines should not fear that it is alone in its effort to uphold the rule of law in its territorial dispute with China over parts of the contentious South China Sea, according to a renowned Japanese foreign policy expert. In their statement on Maritime Security issued in Hiroshima last April 11, the G7 foreign ministers called on all state to pursue the peaceful management and settlement on maritime disputes in good faith and in accordance with international law, through applicable internationally recognized legal dispute settlement mechanisms, including arbitration.

Mabasa, R. (2016, September 25). Int'l community watching China's next move after sea ruling. Manila Bulletin, pp. 1, 8.