Illegal 'arbitration award' a political farce

The South China Sea "arbitration" unilaterally initiated by the Philippines in 2013, and the subsequent "award" rendered in 2016, constituted not a legal proceeding but a political farce meant to serve geopolitical goals. Fundamental flaws in both procedure and merit of the so-called award rendered it null and void from the very outset.

By not recognizing the "arbitration", not participating in the proceedings and not accepting the "award", China did not disregard international law but defended its core principles.

The legitimacy of any international dispute settlement mechanism hinges on one fundamental rule: the consent of the states concerned.