China rejects US-led backing for South China Sea ruling, calls tribunal award 'illegal'
China rejected renewed international support for a 2016 tribunal ruling. The ruling declared China's expansive South China Sea claims legally baseless. China insists the award is null and void and has no binding force. Fourteen nations reaffirmed the ruling's finality and commitment to a rules-based Indo-Pacific. Beijing also objected to Japan's participation in the joint statement.
China rejected renewed international support for a 2016 tribunal ruling. The ruling declared China's expansive South China Sea claims legally baseless. China insists the award is null and void and has no binding force. Fourteen nations reaffirmed the ruling's finality and commitment to a rules-based Indo-Pacific. Beijing also objected to Japan's participation in the joint statement.
