Here’s a look at where dozens of countries stand:
ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONSASEAN has been trying for years to achieve diplomatic solutions in the South China Sea, making little progress and exposing divisions in the 10-member bloc, which includes the Philippines. Reaching consensus on the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling will be tough.
When President Barack Obama met ASEAN leaders in February they agreed on “full respect for legal and diplomatic processes†in accordance with the U.N. convention, but pro-China members Cambodia and Laos nixed any mention of “arbitration.â€
Vietnam, which has fought China over competing South China Sea claims, has been most supportive of the Philippines’ case and submitted a statement to the tribunal. Hanoi has said it supports “full compliance†to the procedures of the convention.
But other ASEAN nations are generally wary of speaking out for fear of alienating China, the region’s economic heavyweight. Malaysia and Brunei have said little about the case, though they too are South China Sea claimants.
Indonesia and Singapore are not claimants but have been a bit more outspoken. Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said last week that the ruling could have implications beyond the South China Sea and “we cannot subscribe to the principle that might is right.†Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry declined to say whether the ruling should be binding on both sides but said international law must be respected.
Even the Philippines’ position is unpredictable as a new government takes office there June 30. President-elect Rodrigo Duterte has expressed willingness to restart bilateral negotiations with China.
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