The Philippines and China effectively consigned to limbo on Thursday the UNCLOS-based arbitral ruling in 2016 on their maritime disputes, and moved to explore instead a wider Code of Conduct for resolving conflicts in the South China Sea. Presidents Rodrigo Duterte and Xi Jinping stuck to their opposing public positions on the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s award – rendered on the basis of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) – invalidating China’s claim and occupation of some Philippine maritime areas. There were no indications during and after their less than an hour dialogue in Beijing that the stalemate would be resolved during the incumbency of the two leaders. That looked like a welcome development for them as the PCA ruling has been getting in their way.

Pascual, F. D. Jr. (2019, September 1). PCA arbitral ruling consigned to limbo. The Philippine Star, p. 8.