Key facts
- China's Ministry of National Defense has reiterated its rejection of the 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling.
- The ruling invalidated Beijing's expansive claims in the South China Sea.
- The statement was made on the tenth anniversary of the ruling.
On the tenth anniversary of a landmark ruling that invalidated Beijing's expansive claims in the South China Sea, China's Ministry of National Defense reiterated its rejection of the decision.
The tribunal's 2016 ruling, which was initiated by the Philippines, declared that China had no legal basis for its "nine-dash line" claims over nearly all of the disputed waters. Beijing has consistently refused to participate in the arbitration and has dismissed the ruling as null and void.
The renewed criticism from the defense ministry underscores Beijing's ongoing stance against international arbitration regarding territorial disputes in the region, which remain a significant source of tension.