China's South China Sea Conundrum - No Easier Pass

On July 12, 2016, The Hague- based Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) finally hit the hammer on the verdict of the landmark case of South China Sea arbitration. This case was unilaterally initiated by the Republic of the Philippines on January 22, 2013, on its relevant disputes in the South China Sea with the People’s Republic of China. At the very outset, this case brought China at crossroads to its international repute given Philippines’ allegations against its assertive and unlawful claims. The final hit came from the Court, which strictly and categorically ruled its judgment against China and in favor of Philippines. This landmark arbitral tribunal, therefore, has set a new momentum in China’s South China Sea Conundrum- wherein the dispute is likely to get more complicated and much difficult to resolve than before.