Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reiterated Beijing's stance on resolving South China Sea disputes through dialogue during ASEAN meetings in Kuala Lumpur, marking nine years since a controversial 2016 arbitration ruling rejected by China. Experts warn the ruling continues to destabilize regional cooperation while advocating renewed diplomatic engagement.
The Troubled Legacy of 2016 Arbitration
Wang Yi described the arbitration initiated by the Philippines as "illegal and void," emphasizing it violated bilateral agreements to resolve disputes through consultation. Legal scholars including Carlos Arguello Gomez of the International Law Commission stressed that effective conflict resolution requires mutual consent: "Forcing mechanisms on unwilling parties solves nothing."
Regional Ripples of Tension
Analysts highlighted the ruling's unintended consequences. Wu Shicun of Huayang Center noted it became "a typical troublemaker," exacerbating U.S.-China tensions while alienating ASEAN unity. Philippine scholar Herman Tiu Laurel observed Manila's isolation within ASEAN as neighbors deepen economic ties with China despite overlapping maritime claims.
Pathways to Peace
Malaysian defense expert Ruhanas Harun emphasized negotiation: "Stability benefits all nations depending on these waters." Philippine analyst Rommel Banlaoi urged reviving bilateral mechanisms that previously fostered cooperation. Wang Yi called for reframing the South China Sea as a zone of "peace and cooperation," urging ASEAN partners to prioritize joint development over confrontation.
As regional voices amplify demands for dialogue, the anniversary serves as a reminder of diplomacy's enduring value in one of Asia's most strategically vital waterways.
