On 22 January 2013, the Republic of the Philippines instituted arbitral proceedings against the People's Republic of China (PRC) under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) with regard to disputes between the two countries in the South China Sea (South China Sea Arbitration). On 19 February 2013, the PRC formally expressed its opposition to the institution of proceedings, making it clear from the outset that it will not have any part in these arbitral proceedings and that this position will not change. It is thus to be expected that over the next year and a half, the Tribunal will receive written memorials and hear oral submissions from the Philippines only. The Chinese position will go unheard. However, the Tribunal is under an obligation, before making its award, to satisfy itself not only that it has jurisdiction over the dispute, but also that the claims brought by the Philippines are well founded in fact and law (UNCLOS Annex VII, Article 9).This book aims to offer a (not the) Chinese perspective on some of the issues to be decided by the Tribunal and thus to assist the Tribunal in meeting its obligations under the Convention. The book does not set out the official position of the Chinese government, but is rather to serve as a kind of amicus curiae brief advancing possible legal arguments on behalf of the absent respondent. The book does not deal with the merits of the disputes between the Philippines and the PRC, but focuses on the questions of jurisdiction, admissibility and other objections which the tribunal will have to decide as a preliminary matter. The book will show that there are insurmountable preliminary objections to the Tribunal deciding the case on the merits and that the Tribunal would be well advised to refer the dispute back to the parties in order for them to reach a negotiated settlement.The book brings together scholars of public international law from mainland China, Taiwan and Europe united by a common interest in the law of the sea and disputes in the South China Sea.
This title is included in Bloomsbury Professional's International Arbitration online service.
Industry Reviews
Books on important international law cases are normal, but this one rises above the others due to its focuses on various parties involved, the legal questions to be decided and the absence of one of the parties. * Global Times *
We recommend this publication to academics, practitioners and students interested in this area who are looking for a detailed analysis of a Chinese standpoint in this context...an original, highly comprehensive and structured overview of China's stance. -- Olivia Staines * Association for International Arbitration Newsletter 'In Touch' *
The arguments of the book are well documented, and the authors make appropriate use of judicial methodology. Moreover, the book covers the main legal issues of the bilateral dispute between the PRC and the Philippines. As such, the book constitutes a valuable contribution to the field of international law and the law of the sea. -- Liselotte Odgaard * The China Quarterly, Volume 220, December 2014 *
The South China Sea Arbitration: A Chinese Perspective, is essential reading for anyone desiring thoughtful analyses of the case from the standpoint of China. -- Charles H. Norchi * Ocean Yearbook *
This book, as 'a kind of amicus curiae brief', is an informative and helpful aid to understanding the Chinese government's semi-official position on the issue of the South China Sea disputes as well as the famous nine-dash line. -- Taisaku Ikeshima * Waseda Global Forum *
...this is the most important book on the pending Philippine-China Arbitration. * Ocean Development and International Law *
...this book provides a thought-provoking contribution to a highly contested dispute that has importance not only for the States in the South China Sea region but for all governments with an interest in the law of the sea and the integrity of the UNCLOS dispute settlement system. -- Tim Stephens * Australian and New Zealand Maritime Law Journal *
...a significant contribution to the scholarship on the subject of the SCS and international maritime law. -- Abhishek Pratap Singh * China Report *
While this book was written for the specific purpose of serving as a kind of amicus curiae in the context of ongoing developments, it should continue to be indispensable material for those interested in the arbitral proceedings, even after the arbitral award has been rendered. -- Kentaro Nishimoto * Japanese Yearbook of International Law *
