MANILA — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) firmly rejected statements made by the Chinese Embassy in Manila challenging the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award.

In a statement, the DFA stressed that the ruling was issued by an arbitral tribunal constituted under Annex VII of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and provides clear legal basis on maritime rights and entitlements.

“The award is final and binding and has become an unassailable part of the corpus of international law, providing legal clarity regarding maritime rights and entitlements in the South China Sea. It is not and will never be illegal, null, and void,” it said.

The department also dismissed China’s long-standing position questioning the tribunal’s jurisdiction, noting that the panel had already rejected arguments that the case involved territorial sovereignty or maritime boundary delimitation.

It clarified that the 2016 ruling was limited to the interpretation and application of UNCLOS, including the legal status of maritime features and the consistency of certain claims with international maritime law.

The DFA also rejected Beijing’s claim that the Philippines violated its obligations by initiating arbitration instead of relying solely on bilateral talks.

It said the tribunal had confirmed that the Philippines complied with Article 283 of UNCLOS, which requires parties to exchange views before elevating disputes for third-party settlement.

“While the Philippines remains committed to dialogue and diplomacy, it is not precluded from availing itself of dispute-settlement mechanisms under UNCLOS when disputes concerning the interpretation or application of the Convention cannot be resolved through consultations,” the DFA said.

The agency added that the Philippines acted within its rights as a State Party to UNCLOS, especially after years of bilateral discussions with China yielded no progress.

With the international community set to mark the 10th anniversary of the ruling in July, the DFA highlighted its continued relevance to the rules-based maritime order.

“Indeed, judicial decisions and arbitral awards rendered under UNCLOS benefit all States – not just the parties to a dispute. By clarifying the content of international law, they provide guidance, strengthen legal certainty, and support the peaceful and predictable governance of the oceans,” it said.

The DFA said the ruling remains a “clear guidepost” on issues such as excessive maritime claims, classification of maritime features, activities affecting coastal state rights, and obligations to protect the marine environment.

It also underscored the award’s findings on environmental protection, including responsibilities involving coral reef ecosystems, biodiversity conservation, and prevention of environmental damage.

These environmental standards, the DFA said, continue to influence developments in international ocean law and have been cited in subsequent global rulings and decisions.