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by JumpCrisscross 3473 days ago
> when the Philippines backed off of their claim

UNCLOS ruled in favour of the Philippines. The Philippines are not willing to enforce their claim against an emerging regional hegemony. That's different from backing off.

> The Chinese want to be able to protect naval trade, and protect themselves from their historical vulnerability (embargo)

This is a fair thing to want, but it conflicts with neighbouring states' claimed rights to freedom of navigation. It is in the United States' and China's neighbors' interests to prevent China from achieving regional naval hegemony. Presenting this morally just serves to confuse the issue.

> It's been very difficult for the United States to get Asian Countries - those involved in the area - to side with the United States

India and Indonesia, amongst others, have supported the ruling [1].

[1][ http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-and-Indonesia...
1 comments
xnull2guest 3473 days ago
UNCLOS has no authority on sovereignty disputes, right?

http://www.un.org/Depts/los/convention_agreements/texts/uncl...

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JumpCrisscross 3473 days ago
See my answer here [1]. You are mis-interpreting Article 298. Its potential effect on the Tribunal's jurisdiction was argued by China and struck down by the Tribunal [2].

[1] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=13203195

[2] http://www.pcacases.com/web/sendAttach/1506 ยงยง 397 - 412

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