China vs. Philippines in South China Sea: The Only Thing You Need to Know

Manila can sue Beijing all it wants, but in the end it seems Chinese leaders already know how they will respond 

In just a few weeks the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague will render its verdict in a case filed by the Philippines to challenge China’s longstanding maritime claims in the South China Sea. While the result of that arbitration remains unknown, Beijing has already telegraphed how it will react should the court rule in Manila’s favor. 

For months now, Chinese officials have made Beijing’s case for rejecting the tribunal’s legal authority in the matter while characterizing Manila’s gambit as “irresponsibly frivolous.” The Chinese foreign ministry has already questioned the court’s authority and is boycotting the entire process, which it has derided as an “orchestrated performance.” As legal scholar Jerome Cohen noted in a recent article, both the Chinese Society of International Law and the All China Lawyers Association have issued “dutiful supporting arguments” in favor of snubbing the process. 

My article, published today in The National Interest, continues here.