PCA Jurisdictional Hearing (Photo : UN PCA)
A day after the U.N. Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) said it would announce on July 12 the decision by the Tribunal of the case elevated by the Philippines against China over ownership of Scarborough Shoal, China reiterated it would not accept the court’s verdict.
But Paul Reichler, a veteran Washington lawyer who served as the chief attorney of the Philippines in the case, not only expressed confidence the court would favor Manila but also warned that if Beijing would ignore the ruling, China risks becoming an "outlaw state," reported the South China Morning Post.
Although he is not privy to the verdict and expects to know about the decision on July 12, Reichler stated, “We are confident we will have success on the merits.” He added a ruling in favor of the Philippines would deprive Beijing of legal basis in citing the “Nine Dash line.”
In response to the PCA statement on Wednesday, Hong Lei, spokesman of China’s Foreign Ministry, said, “I again stress that the arbitration court has no jurisdiction in the case and on the relevant matter, and should not hold hearings or make a ruling,” quoted Reuters.
Hong said China would not accept a decision from a third party and dispute resolution forced on Beijing. China’s stand contrasts with what the Philippine government has stated that it would fully respect the PCA’s verdict.
Reichler said a PCA verdict in favor of Manila would pressure Beijing into abiding by the decision, with the pressure coming from other claimants to South China Sea disputed islands, such as Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia. He said, “It may be that in time … the Chinese will come to realise that they have mre to lose than to gain from creating a chaotic, lawless situation.”
