As the Philippines marked the ninth anniversary of its landmark 2016 Arbitral Award rejecting China’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea, New Zealand issued a powerful message: international law must be upheld, not taken for granted.

In a video message timed with the anniversary, New Zealand Ambassador to the Philippines Dr. Catherine McIntosh reaffirmed her country’s “unwavering commitment” to a free and open Indo-Pacific, and to the 2016 ruling itself, which she called a “final and binding” instrument under international law.

“This anniversary reminds us that the rules-based international order is not self-sustaining,” McIntosh said. “It requires vigilance, commitment, and cooperation among nations like ours that value peace and the rule of law.”

Without naming names, the ambassador alluded to coercive actions in the region that challenge maritime law and regional stability, an unmistakable nod to Beijing’s continued incursions in the West Philippine Sea.

The remarks come as New Zealand sharpens both its diplomatic and defense posture in the Indo-Pacific. Central to this shift is the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) signed with the Philippines in April 2025—a milestone that allows joint defense activities, enhances maritime domain awareness, and boosts humanitarian response.

“The SOVFA is a symbol of trust and shared values,” McIntosh said. “It provides the opportunity to increase our cooperation in a mutually beneficial way and stands as a clear signal of our intent to grow this defense partnership.”

She pointed to the Philippines’ vital position in global trade, especially with over $3 trillion in commerce passing annually through contested waters in the South China Sea. “Our economic prosperity and national security are inextricably linked to stability in the Indo-Pacific,” she added.

More than words: Exercises and increased military spend

New Zealand’s commitment has gone beyond statements and agreements. It recently joined multilateral maritime drills alongside the Philippines, Australia, Japan, and the United States, bolstering regional defense cooperation.

It also continues to engage actively in regional fora such as ASEAN, the East Asia Summit, and the Pacific Islands Forum, where rules and norms are debated and defended.

Backing this active diplomacy is a significant upgrade of military capabilities. McIntosh revealed that under New Zealand’s new Defence Capability Plan, Wellington will raise defense spending to over 2% of GDP within eight years—a major shift for the traditionally restrained military power.

This increase is not symbolic, she said. “Norms are being tested and institutions are being strained,” she said. Credible deterrence, not just diplomatic alignment, is now seen as necessary to preserve peace.

McIntosh reiterated New Zealand’s support for the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), under which the 2016 ruling was rendered.

“New Zealand is proud to stand with the Philippines in defending UNCLOS as the legal framework under which all activities in the oceans and seas must be carried out,” she said, emphasizing freedom of navigation and respect for legal norms.

Australia’s support for the Philippines has gone beyond diplomatic statements with concrete defense assistance now at the forefront of its Strategic Partnership, it was learned at the 9th anniversary of the Philippines’ Arbitral Victory against China.

As Ambassador HK Yu of Australia ends her tour of duty in the country, she highlighted a series of tangible contributions that strengthen the Philippines’ maritime and cybersecurity defenses.

Among the key support measures:

• Delivery of 20 drones and VHF radios to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)
• Operational training for maritime surveillance
• A new AU$3 million (₱110 million) assistance package to bolster PCG’s maritime domain awareness through integrated surveillance and drone technologies.

Expanded joint military exercises, including:

• Regular Maritime Cooperative Activities (MCAs)
• Philippine participation in Exercise PITCH BLACK in Australia since 2024
• The upcoming Exercise ALON 2025, Australia’s largest-ever military drill held outside its borders
• Trilateral maritime cooperation with Japan and the United States
• Cybersecurity support through the Southeast Asia and Pacific Cyber Program (SEA-PAC), which equips the Philippines with cyber incident response tools, infrastructure hardening, and threat intelligence sharing.

“Our defense ties reflect a shared commitment to regional security and a rules-based order,” Yu said.

During the commemoration of the 9th anniversary of its Arbitral Victory against China’s expansive claims in the West Philippine Sea, Yu reaffirmed Australia’s support for international law and the 2016 ruling’s legitimacy.

“The rule of law is not optional,” she said. “Destabilizing actions and excessive maritime claims must be addressed to ensure regional peace and stability.”

Yu said the elevation of bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership in 2023 is “a testament to deepening cooperation.”

“Australia is committed to helping the Philippines strengthen its cyber resilience not just at sea, but in cyberspace as well,” she added.

Looking ahead to the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2026, Yu expressed confidence in the future of the partnership.

“Serving as Australia’s Ambassador has been a true honor. I am proud of all we’ve achieved together, and I am confident our partnership will grow even stronger in the years to come,” she said.

Her parting words serve as both a reminder of shared values and a pledge of enduring support amid rising regional tensions.

As trusted maritime partners, Japan and the Philippines remain committed to advancing the vision of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP). This activity underscores our shared dedication to fostering regional stability and maritime security in full accordance with international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Japan reaffirms its steadfast partnership with the Philippines as both nations work closely to uphold lasting peace, prosperity, and security across the region. 

Over the past year, the PRC’s use of water cannons, dangerous maneuvers, and destructive tactics – including ramming, forcible towing, and boarding that has resulted in damage to Philippine vessels and injury to Philippine service members – has routinely interfered with the lawful exercise of high seas freedoms in areas where the Arbitral Tribunal determined the PRC has no lawful territorial or maritime claims. The PRC’s actions reflect a blatant disregard for international law as well as the safety and livelihoods of Filipinos.

The United States remains deeply concerned about the PRC’s assertion of “territorial sovereignty” over vast areas that are clearly within the maritime jurisdiction of Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei, and where high seas freedoms of navigation and overflight apply under international law. Upholding the international law of the sea, as reflected in the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention, is in the interest of the entire international community and remains vital to the peace, security, and prosperity of all nations.

We continue to call on the PRC to abide by the 2016 arbitral ruling, to cease its dangerous and destabilizing conduct, and to comport its conduct as well as its territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea to the international law of the sea as reflected in the Convention.

Following the injury of Filipino soldiers in China’s latest aggression in the West Philippine Sea, the United Kingdom has reiterated its support of Philippine sovereignty and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

At the King’s Birthday celebration on Tuesday, Ambassador Laure Beaufils said: “We as the UK continue to stand with the Philippines in support of its sovereignty. And today, as ever we do, emphasizing the critical importance of international law, and in particular UNCLOS as the governing framework for all the activities that people should participate in, and condemning actions that undermine navigational freedoms, challenge international law, and do so.”

The ambassador also drew parallels between the recent Philippine Independence Day celebration and the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings, where King Charles III spoke.

King Charles III “spoke of the sacrifices made by previous generations for our liberty and reminded us that free nations must come together to oppose tyranny…I was struck by the parallels in language and values. Be it in the Philippines or in the UK, the bravery and sacrifice of our fallen heroes resonates today as much as they did in the past. And we cherish our independence, freedom, and sovereignty today as much as we did then,” she said.

The ambassador took the occasion to introduce the new monarch to Filipinos including his advocacy for the environment.

“The King is steeped in experience and public service—a modern King with a strong vision and a passion for the youth, community, diversity, the environment, multi-religious, multi-cultural communities, and indeed the multicultural and multi-religious consequences,” Ambassador Beaufils said.

“The King’s most well-known passion, of course, is that of environmental sustainability. He was advocating concepts such as the circular economy and natural capital years before they captured the public’s imagination. He remained the global champion for environmental sustainability across the world,” she added.

The ambassador was most applauded when she welcomed the guests to the reception in Tagalog.

“Natutuwa akong tanggapin kayo dito ngayong gabi. Ito ay isang napakahalagang okasyon para sa amin. Natutuwa akong ipagdiwang ang kaarawan ng aming hari kasama ang aming mga Pinoy na kaibigan,” she said.

Ambassador Beaufils also explained why there is a June 18 birthday celebration for the British king when his actual birthday falls on November 14.

“This year we are going back to tradition, a tradition started by George II in 1748, upholding the monarch’s official birthday in June. With a November birthday being too cold for a celebratory parade in London, he tied his celebrations with the annual Trooping the Colour military parade in June. And so it is again, 276 years later. Today we are here to honour our King,” she said.

George II was also a November baby. He was born on November 9, 1683.

On June 15, the China Coast Guard announced the implementation of the Provisions on Administrative Law Enforcement Procedures of Coast Guard Agencies. Formulated in line with China’s Coast Guard Law, the provisions authorize the CCG to board, inspect, and detain foreign vessels and persons suspected of violating exit and entry procedures in waters that China considers to be under its jurisdiction. This has provoked a high degree of international concern.

Taiwan reiterates that freedom of navigation in the South China Sea is vital to regional peace and stability and a matter of high concern to the international community. The continuing increase in gray-zone activities and coercive military behavior in the South China Sea is not only damaging to regional peace and stability but also undermines the international maritime order, which is based on international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

In its statement, Taiwan will continue to work with regional partners and like-minded countries to safeguard a free and open Indo-Pacific jointly. It also calls on both parties to resolve the dispute peacefully, refrain from using military force, and avoid escalating regional tensions. 

1. Japan reiterates serious concern over repeated actions which obstruct freedom of navigation and increase regional tensions including recent dangerous actions that resulted in damage to the Filipino vessel and injuries to Filipinos onboard.
   
2. Japan believes that the issue concerning the South China Sea is directly related to the peace and stability of the region and is a legitimate concern of the international community, and thus Japan opposes any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force as well as any actions that increase tensions in the South China Sea. As stated in the Joint Vision Statement from the Leaders of Japan, the Philippines, and the United States in April 2024, the Government of Japan is concerned by unlawful maritime claims and steadfastly opposes the dangerous and coercive use of Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels in the South China Sea.
   
3. Also, Japan highly appreciates the Government of the Philippines for having consistently complied with the Arbitral Tribunal’s award as to the disputes between the Republic of the Philippines and the People’s Republic of China regarding the South China Sea and shown its commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes in the South China Sea, as stated in the joint press statement between Japan and the Philippines issued in November 2023, and the statement by the Foreign Minister of Japan issued in July 2023, on the occasion of the seventh anniversary of the issuance of the award.
   
4. The arbitral award is final and legally binding on the parties to the dispute under the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and Japan strongly hopes that the parties’ compliance with the award will lead to the peaceful settlement of disputes in the South China Sea.
   
5. Japan has consistently advocated upholding the rule of law at sea, and will continue to cooperate with the international community such as ASEAN Member States and the United States to protect the free and open international order based on the rule of law.

The Ministers and Secretaries expressed serious concern about the situation in the East and South China Seas. They strongly objected to the dangerous use of coast guard and maritime militia vessels in the South China Sea. They reiterated serious concern over the PRC’s repeated obstruction of Philippine vessels’ exercise of high seas freedom of navigation and the disruption of supply lines to Second Thomas Shoal, which constitute dangerous and destabilizing conduct.  The Ministers and Secretaries emphasized the importance of upholding freedoms of navigation and overflight, and respect for international law, as reflected particularly in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).  They called upon the PRC to abide by the final and legally binding 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Tribunal Award and resolved to work together to support states exercising their rights and freedoms in the South China Sea.

The leaders emphasized their commitment to strengthen cooperation in support of regional security and stability, following the Maritime Cooperative Activity in the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone on April 7, 2024. They underscored that multilateral defense cooperation among the four countries is growing stronger than ever, and welcomed progress in coordination at all levels. The Ministers and Secretaries discussed opportunities to further advance defense cooperation, including through continued maritime cooperation in the South China Sea, enhanced procedures to enable coordination and information sharing arrangements, as well as strengthening capacity building.

1. Japan reiterates serious concern over actions which increase regional tensions including recent dangerous actions that led to collisions between Chinese and Filipino vessels and injuries of the Filipinos.

2. Japan believes that the issue concerning the South China Sea is directly related to the peace and stability of the region and is a legitimate concern of the international community, and thus Japan opposes any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force as well as any actions that increase tensions in the South China Sea. As stated in the Japan-Philippines Joint Statement (PDF) in February 2023, the Government of Japan concurs with the Philippines’ long-standing objections to unlawful maritime claims, militarization, coercive activities and threat or use of force in the South China Sea.

3. Also, Japan highly appreciates the Government of the Philippines for having consistently complied with the Arbitral Tribunal’s award as to the disputes between the Republic of the Philippines and the People’s Republic of China regarding the South China Sea and shown its commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes in the South China Sea, as stated in the joint press statement between Japan and the Philippines (PDF) issued in November 2023, and the statement by the Foreign Minister of Japan issued in July 2023, on the occasion of the seventh anniversary of the issuance of the award.

4. The arbitral award is final and legally binding on the parties to the dispute under the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and Japan strongly hopes that the parties’ compliance with the award will lead to the peaceful settlement of disputes in the South China Sea.
   
5. Japan has consistently advocated upholding the “rule of law” at sea, and will continue to cooperate with the international community such as ASEAN Member States and the United States to protect the free and open international order based on the “rule of law”.

“The Stratbase Albert Del Rosario Institute (ADRi) fully supports the deepening of Philippine-Australia relations. Australia has consistently been among the countries most trusted by Filipinos,” Stratbase ADR Institute President Dindo Manhit said in a statement.  

“We are grateful for Australia’s unwavering support for the Philippines, particularly its recognition of the 2016 arbitral ruling and its commitment to preserving the rule of law. Its presence in the Indo-Pacific and defense of the rules-based international order provides assurance that peace, stability, and prosperity will be maintained in the region,” Manhit added. 

The Stratbase ADR Institute President also noted that the signing of the Strategic Partnership is a natural progression for Philippines and Australia’s flourishing relations.  

“Over the last 77 years, our defense and economic ties have grown stronger, fortified by shared values and principles. The visit of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to Manila is a landmark initiative that highlights the central geopolitical value of the Philippines in the Indo-Pacific region,” Manhit said. 

He also highlighted the importance of the Philippine-Australia relationship in enhancing regional security and prosperity through cooperation and partnership.  

“In particular, Australia has been a dedicated partner in enhancing our military capabilities, as demonstrated by our recently concluded Exercise ALON, which strengthens our external defense and interoperability,” Manhit explained. 

“Furthermore, our elevated relationship with Australia assures us of a reliable friend and partner in economic prosperity. Our trade activities form a significant part of our relations, as evidenced by Australia’s release of its Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040, which includes cooperation with the Philippines,” he added. 

In a joint statement on Saturday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that on declaring the Strategic Partnership, they are reaffirming their shared interests in building prosperity and preserving peace in the Indo-Pacific.” 

“We recognize the stability in the region is anchored on respect for national sovereignty and shaped by long-standing agreed rules and norms, based on international law,” said both leaders.  

Marcos and Albanese also emphasized the importance of resolving disputes “peacefully, without the threat and use of force or coercion, in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)”. 

They also recognized that the 2016 Arbitral Award is final and legally binding, and called on both parties involved to abide by the award.  

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