Thank KJAD for reporting arbitration

I am writing with reference to the arbitration between the Republic of the Philippines and the People’s Republic of China before the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

On Oct. 29, 2015, the Tribunal constituted under Annex VII of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) issued its Award on Jurisdiction and Admissibility of the claims of the Philippines. While it does not yet decide on the merits of the parties’ dispute, the Philippines welcomes the Award.

In this regard, we thank our friends in the media for reporting on the decision.

Arbitration is an open, friendly, durable and rules-based dispute settlement mechanism. We believe that this will serve to clarify maritime entitlements of all littoral states in the South China Sea, paving the way for resolution to the dispute in accordance with international law, particularly the UNCLOS.

We remain open to China’s participation in the further hearings. This development affirms the rule of law and respect for the UNCLOS.

In view of this welcome development, the Philippines is now ready itself for the hearings on the merits of the arbitration case that can be announced anytime soon by the Arbitral Tribunal.

Thank you for your kind attention.

by Raul S. Hernandez, Ambassador of the Philippines to Korea