Full coverage: South China Sea Is Indisputable Part of China

A group of experts on international law voiced their doubts and concerns on Sunday over the arbitration filed by the Philippines against Chinese territorial claims in the South China Sea. They say the proceedings are questionable.

Some 30 experts from Asia, Africa, the United States and Europe exchanged views at a seminar coorganized by Leiden University’s Grotius Center for International Legal Studies and Wuhan University’s Institute for Boundary and Ocean Studies.

Around the arbitration unilaterally initiated by the Philippines, a wide range of issues were brought up at the seminar about the appointment of arbitrators, the arbitrary proceedings and the controversial jurisdiction.

Fu Kuenchen, Dean of South China Sea Institute of Xia Men University, voiced his support for China’s stance, saying China’s not participating the arbitration tribunal is something very positive.

Fu said by insisting not to participate in this illegal arbitrational procedure, China has help the world to sustain dignity and predictability of the clauses and articles of UNCLOS .By insisting not to participate from the very beginning and not to accept any of the result will help the world community to establish the rule of law itself.

Sreenivasa Rao Pemmaraju, former chairman of the UN International Law Commission says that no matter what the result of the case might be, it would not help ease tensions in the disputed waters, as the ruling would only be an abstract academic exercise without true value in resolving disputes.

Experts say the Hague-based arbitration tribunal’s rule of its own jurisdiction over the case will broadly undermine the potential utility of international adjudication.

The experts also called on the international community to adopt a correct, comprehensive and integral interpretation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, while urging relevant parties to resolve disputes through reasonable and effective dialogues.