Kaine Statement On Hague Tribunal Decision On The South China Sea

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement on the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s ruling in Philippines v. China:

"I was encouraged to see the final ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the case of the Philippines v. China over competing claims in the South China Sea.  Today’s decision at The Hague demonstrates that existing international frameworks like the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) are relevant and even more critical in today’s complex security environment; they provide a forum for resolving disputes responsibly and peacefully. 

"It is unfortunate that while the Philippines and China are both parties to UNCLOS, the United States has yet to ratify this important treaty and thus has closed off an important avenue for challenging China’s aggressive actions in the South China Sea and Russia’s actions in the Arctic. The United States’ leadership on UNCLOS would strengthen the rule of law and demonstrate our commitment to international norms and our partners and allies in the region. A preponderance of U.S. policymakers, senior military officials, and business leaders agree that becoming a signatory to UNCLOS improves our national security and economic prospects, so I call on my Senate colleagues to ratify this landmark treaty as soon as possible.” ‎

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