The Role of the UN in the Philippines-China Dispute on the West Philippine Sea It has been a controversial and ongoing issue with important geopolitical consequences between the Philippines and China in the West Philippine Sea. The United Nations (UN) has been important in attempting to peacefully resolve the issues, defend international law, and protect the interests of the Philippines during this disagreement. The West Philippine Sea issue between the Philippines and China has been aggressively addressed by the UN through a number of channels and bodies. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which establishes a legal structure for maritime conflicts and specifies the rights and obligations of coastal governments, is one of the main pillars directing these efforts. In 2013, the Philippines filed a UNCLOS arbitration claim against China in order to have the validity of China's claims in the South China Sea, which includes the West Philippine Sea, determined. The arbitration procedure was greatly assisted by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), which functions under the authority of the UN. The PCA delivered a historic decision in the Philippines' favor in July 2016, dismissing China's broad "nine-dash line" claim and upholding the country's rights inside its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The arbitration procedure, which was backed by the UN, offered a peaceful way to settle the conflict and respected the rule of international law. It's important to remember that China disagreed with the decision and is still laying claim to territory in the West Philippine Sea. In addition to the legal route, the UN has supported diplomatic talks and consultations between China and the Philippines. Despite the fact that these measures did not fully resolve the conflict, they did encourage diplomatic methods for de-escalating and dialogue. Additionally, the UN sponsored the creation of a Code of Conduct (COC) for parties in the South China Sea with the purpose of easing tensions and promoting stability. This was done through groups like the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Despite the UN's significant efforts, there are still a number of issues with the PhilippinesChina conflict in the West Philippine Sea. A major barrier to a peaceful decision is China's ongoing rejection of the PCA decision. Tensions in the region have increased as a result of China's military presence in the area and its assertive measures, such as the creation of artificial islands and the defensive positioning of certain features. Additionally, it is difficult to find a complete settlement because of the geopolitical complexity of the West Philippine Sea conflict and the overlapping territory claims of several parties. The interests of the United States and other major world powers significantly influence the conditions of the conflict. In conclusion, the United Nations has been helpful in resolving the China-Philippines issue in the West Philippine Sea, particularly through diplomatic and legal means. The PCA's assistance of the UNCLOS arbitration procedure provided an important court case that supports the rules of international law. However, persistent issues, such as China's disapproval of the decision and its strong tactics, highlight how complicated the situation is. To resolve the ongoing war peacefully and professionally going ahead, global engagement and diplomacy must continue with the backing of the UN and regional organizations. References: Permanent Court of Arbitration. "The South China Sea Arbitration (The Republic of the Philippines v. The People's Republic of China)." PCA Case No. 2013-19. https://pcacpa.org/en/cases/7/ United Nations. "United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)." https://www.un.org/depts/los/convention_agreements/texts/unclos/unclos_e.pdf Associated Press. "China Rejects Ruling in South China Sea Case." The New York Times, July 12, 2016. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/13/world/asia/south-china-sea-hagueruling-philippines.html Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of the Philippines. "The Philippine Chair's Statement on the ASEAN-China Consultations on the Code of Conduct." August 9, 2021. https://www.dfa.gov.ph/dfa-news/statements-and-advisoriesupdate/31186-aseanphilippine-chair-s-statement-on-the-asean-china-consultations-on-the-code-of-conductaugust-9-2021
