Russia calls for political-diplomatic solutions to East Sea dispute
Russia maintains its “consistent and invariable” stance on non-use of force and diplomatic dialogue to settle maritime disputes in the East Sea, said Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on July 14.
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According to the spokesperson, Russia urged the countries involved in territorial disputes in the East Sea strictly comply with non-use of force and continue seeking ways towards a political-diplomatic settlement on the basis of international law, first of all the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
She noted that Russia supports efforts of China and ASEAN member states towards working out a code of conduct in the East Sea, adding that it is not taking sides in principle and will not be dragged into the disputes.
Her statement was made following the final ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague, the Netherlands on July 12 on the case the Philippines brought against China’s claims in the East Sea.
The tribunal declared that China’s claim to “historic rights” over waters within its “nine-dash line” is contrary to the UNCLOS.
It said China has caused permanent and irreparable harm to the coral reef ecosystem at the Spratly (Truong Sa) archipelago, and that it also has no historic title over waters of the South China Sea.
The Hague Tribunal also finds no legal basis for China to claim historic rights to resources within the nine-dash line, and that China has interfered with traditional Philippine fishing rights at Scarborough Shoal.
