Why is the South China Sea 'arbitration award' illegal, null and void?

China has once again dismissed the 2016 arbitration award that favored the Philippines in their territorial dispute over the South China Sea, labeling it as illegal, null, and void. The Chinese Foreign Ministry's statement highlights Beijing's longstanding objections, emphasizing that the tribunal lacked jurisdiction and that the ruling is not legally binding. This comes as countries commemorating the 10th anniversary of the award continue to stoke tensions in the region. The dispute is crucial as it impacts international maritime law and the balance of power in one of the world's most strategically significant waterways.