Last Friday marked the eighth anniversary of the landmark Philippines-China South China Sea arbitral tribunal ruling. Despite Manila’s victory in the case, the Philippine government at the time chose not to push China to abide by the decision. This allowed Beijing to essentially nullify Manila’s efforts to protect its sovereign interests.
However, the ruling, though disregarded by China, holds significant importance. Beijing’s refusal to adhere to international legal norms signals its disregard for limits on its power. Many regional governments, unfortunately, have chosen not to challenge Beijing on this issue, accepting the harsh reality of power politics.
Nevertheless, China’s defiance undermines its claim of equality among nations, prompting neighboring governments to seek closer defense ties to counterbalance Beijing’s assertiveness. This also highlights the crucial role of international law in defending against Chinese overreach, serving as a shared rallying point for nations concerned about China’s actions.