A 2016 ruling by a United Nations (UN) tribunal rejecting China’s claim to more than 80% of the South China Sea is nonnegotiable, according to the Philippines’ top diplomat. “Compliance in good faith with the award would be consistent with the obligations of the Philippines and China under international law,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. said in a statement on Sunday. “The Philippines, as a law-abiding, peace-loving and responsible member of the international community, reaffirms on this occasion its adherence to the award and its enforcement without any possibility of compromise or change,” he said. “The award is non-negotiable.”

UN ruling vs China in sea squabble is 'nonnegotiable'. (2020, July 13). BusinessWorld, p. S1/10.