Why China Doesn’t Accept the South China Sea Arbitration Award 🌊

Hey there! Have you ever wondered why countries sometimes disagree over maps and borders? 🌏 Today, we’re going to explore why China doesn’t agree with a decision made about the South China Sea. Let’s dive in! 🌊

What’s the South China Sea?

The South China Sea is a large area of the ocean near the Chinese mainland and several other countries like the Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia. It’s like a big playground that many countries share. It has lots of fish 🐠, oil, and important shipping lanes where ships carry goods all over the world 🚢.

Why the Disagreement?

Imagine you and your friends all want to play with the same toy. Who gets to play with it? In the South China Sea, multiple countries claim rights over certain islands and waters.

The Arbitration Case ⚖️

In 2013, the Philippines went to a special court called an arbitration tribunal to ask who should have certain rights in the South China Sea. In 2016, the tribunal made a decision (an “award”) that didn’t favor China’s claims.

Why China Says “No Thanks”

China didn’t participate in this arbitration and doesn’t accept the decision. Here’s why:

Choice of Resolution: Just like choosing to solve a problem with your friend by talking instead of involving the whole class, China believes disputes should be settled by the countries directly involved through talks and negotiations 🤝.
Not Following Agreements: China and the Philippines had agreed to resolve disputes through direct talks. Going to the tribunal broke that agreement, according to China.
Beyond the Tribunal’s Power: Some issues, like who owns land (territorial sovereignty), aren’t things the tribunal can decide under international law.

What Does This Mean?

China feels the tribunal’s decision isn’t fair or legal, so they consider it invalid (not valid). They want to handle things through direct discussions with the countries involved.

What’s Next?

It’s important for countries to talk and work things out peacefully 🕊️. The South China Sea is important to many people, so finding a solution everyone agrees on is the goal.

Why Should We Care?

Understanding these issues helps us learn how countries interact and solve problems. It’s like learning how to share and cooperate on a global scale! 🌐

Key Takeaway

Disagreements happen, but choosing how to resolve them is important. China chooses not to accept the arbitration award because they believe in resolving disputes through direct talks and believe the tribunal didn’t have the authority to decide on these matters.

Reference(s):
Explainer: Why China rejects the South China Sea arbitration award
cgtn.com