Manila: Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commodore Jay Tarriela on Wednesday criticized China's recent statement over the 2016 Arbitral Award on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) for being a threat to European countries instead of a legal argument.
According to Philippines News Agency, Tarriela, who also serves as the Coast Guard's spokesperson on the West Philippine Sea (WPS), highlighted that China's statement is notable not for its denials but for its demands. He accused China of pressuring sovereign European nations to stop respecting international law or risk damaging their relations with Beijing. This criticism follows a press briefing by China Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian, who cautioned European countries and the European Union against supporting the 2016 Arbitral ruling during its 10th anniversary on July 12.
Tarriela argued that the statement reflects 'ICAD (illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive)' actions, a term used by Indo-Pacific countries to describe certain aggressive maneuvers by China in contested waters. He asserted that Beijing's response lacked a legal foundation and served as a coercive threat. Tarriela emphasized that strong legal cases rely on citing the law, whereas weaker ones resort to warning of consequences for non-cooperation.
He further underscored that nations respecting international law should not ask others to abandon it, insisting that international law is enduring, immune to threats, and does not require China's permission for its respect. Tarriela pointed out that China itself had signed and ratified the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), under which the tribunal that issued the 2016 Arbitral ruling was established.
Tarriela stated that under Article 296 and Annex VII of UNCLOS, the arbitral award is final and binding, dismissing China's claims of it being an 'illegal award.' He insisted that the award stands, despite China's refusal to adhere to it.
Earlier, China's Foreign Ministry urged European partners to 'act prudently, stop endorsing the illegal award, and not affect the China-EU ties and cooperation.' In contrast, a joint statement issued on Sunday by the Philippines, Australia, Canada, Estonia, Germany, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, New Zealand, Romania, Slovenia, United Kingdom, and the United States reaffirmed the arbitral ruling, rejecting China's expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea. The European Union also released a separate statement urging full implementation of the ruling and advocating for adherence to international law and peaceful dispute resolution.
