10 Years After the South China Sea Arbitration: Will ASEAN Remain Silent?

Ten years after an arbitration ruling backed by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) settled a territorial dispute in the South China Sea, ASEAN's silence on the matter continues to raise eyebrows. Though ASEAN members have publicly voiced support for UNCLOS, they have not acknowledged the legal judgment, which declared China's extensive territorial claims largely invalid. This inaction highlights ongoing geopolitical tensions and the complex dynamics within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, underscoring the challenges they face in addressing regional maritime disputes. The lack of consensus within ASEAN suggests that external pressures and internal politics continue to shape their diplomatic responses.