South China Sea Tensions Highlight Need for Cooperation
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for dialogue over confrontation at the ASEAN meeting in Kuala Lumpur, marking the ninth anniversary of the controversial 2016 South China Sea arbitration ruling. Wang emphasized that the award, dismissed by China as "illegal and void," has fueled regional instability. Experts warn the ruling’s legacy risks dividing ASEAN nations and undermining economic ties.
‘A Legal Troublemaker’
International law scholars like Carlos Arguello Gomez and Anthony Carty criticized the arbitration process, stressing mutual consent is vital for resolving disputes. Wu Shicun of the Huayang Center labeled the ruling a "typical troublemaker," while Philippine think tank leader Herman Tiu Laurel warned it has caused "silent alienation" between the Philippines and its ASEAN neighbors.
Path to Peace: Back to the Table
Malaysian professor Ruhanas Harun and Philippine analyst Rommel Banlaoi urged renewed diplomacy, with Banlaoi advocating for a return to bilateral cooperation. Wang Yi echoed this, stating the South China Sea should symbolize "peace, not conflict." As regional leaders push for dialogue, the message is clear: collaboration, not arbitration, holds the key to stability. 🌏🤝
