A significant gathering of legal scholars and officials in Shanghai this week has resoundingly rejected a 2016 international arbitration ruling on the South China Sea, labeling it as illegal and devoid of any binding force. The special seminar, held as part of a major international law conference, underscored China's longstanding position on the issue and called for a renewed focus on historical and legal evidence to resolve disputes.
The event, held on Sunday, April 26, 2026, featured prominent voices including Qi Dahai, Director-General of the Department of Treaty and Law at China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Qi stated that the arbitral tribunal had "overstepped its jurisdiction and perverted justice," and that the resulting award was fundamentally flawed. He criticized attempts by the Philippines to use the ruling to "mislead international public opinion" and smear China's reputation.
Wu Shicun, Chairman of the Huayang Center for Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance, echoed these sentiments, describing the 2016 award as a "political farce" riddled with jurisdictional errors and legal fallacies. He urged for a resolute counter to any unilateral actions or public opinion campaigns based on the invalidated ruling.
Participants unanimously reaffirmed China's "indisputable sovereignty" over islands in the South China Sea and their adjacent waters, supported by what they described as solid historical and legal foundations. The seminar's conclusions emphasized a commitment to peaceful resolution and building the South China Sea into a "sea of peace, friendship and cooperation."
The seminar was a key part of the 2026 annual academic conference of the Chinese Society of International Law, held from April 24-26. This year's conference, themed "Uphold the International Rule of Law, Enhance Global Governance," attracted over 1,500 government officials, experts, scholars, and students. In a related statement, the Society called on all nations to abide by international law and oppose the unlawful use of force.
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Shanghai law seminar refutes illegal South China Sea arbitration award
cgtn.com
