Shanghai Seminar Denounces 2016 South China Sea Arbitration Award as 'Illegal'
TL;DR
- Shanghai seminar participants rejected the legitimacy of the 2016 South China Sea arbitral award.
- Chinese officials and scholars stated the tribunal overstepped its jurisdiction.
- The event called for resisting recognition of the award and maintaining regional stability.
Overview
On April 26, 2026, a seminar in Shanghai gathered government officials, experts, and scholars to reaffirm opposition to the 2016 arbitral award on the South China Sea. Participants, including officials from China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and think-tank leaders, criticized the award, labeling it as illegal and non-binding, and discussed the legal and jurisdictional objections central to China's position on the dispute.
What Happened
A special seminar took place in Shanghai during the 2026 annual academic conference of the Chinese Society of International Law, attended by over 1,500 participants.
Qi Dahai, Director-General in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that the arbitral tribunal in the South China Sea arbitration overreached its authority and had rendered an award that China considers 'illegal, null and void.'
Wu Shicun, Chairman of the Huayang Center for Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance, argued that the award contained major jurisdictional and legal defects, framing it as political.
Participants reiterated China's claim to sovereignty over the South China Sea islands and neighboring waters and called for ongoing public efforts to counter what they describe as politically motivated uses of the arbitration outcome.
Context
The 2016 arbitral award arose from a case brought by the Philippines concerning maritime rights and sovereignty in the South China Sea. China has consistently rejected both the tribunal's jurisdiction and the findings.
The seminar and associated statement by the Chinese Society of International Law reflect China's ongoing legal and diplomatic campaign to oppose the use or recognition of the 2016 award in international forums.
Why It Matters
- The views presented at the seminar reinforce China's position against the international validity of the 2016 South China Sea arbitral award.
- These statements are part of China's broader effort to challenge interpretations of international law supporting the tribunal's findings and to shape regional and international opinion regarding the South China Sea dispute.