The Philippines on Friday expressed alarm over China’s continued refusal to recognize the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea, which invalidated China’s expansive claims in the resource-rich waterway. Speaking at the Stratbase ADR Institute’s annual forum commemorating the ninth anniversary of the Philippines’ arbitral victory, Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Teresa Lazaro described China’s continued rejection of the award “worrisome” as it undermines Philippine sovereignty and regional stability. “It is worrisome that China has continued to reject the binding arbitral award and persists with illegal, coercive, and aggressive actions under cover of a revisionist, self-serving interpretation and application of international law, particularly UNCLOS,” Lazaro said.

Garner, J., & Kabagani, L. J. (2025, July 12). Arbitral ruling rejection a;arms PHL officials. Daily Tribune, pp. A1, A2.