# UNCLOS
Latest news and articles about UNCLOS
Total: 11 articles found
Beijing’s Eternal No: Why China Continues to Defy the South China Sea Arbitration
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reaffirmed its long-standing policy of non-recognition regarding the 2016 South China Sea arbitration ruling. The statement emphasizes Beijing's commitment to its sovereign claims regardless of international legal decisions, signaling continued friction in the Indo-Pacific.
The Decade-Long Stalemate: Beijing Reaffirms Rejection of South China Sea 'Paper Tiger'
Beijing marks the 10th anniversary of the South China Sea arbitration by labeling the ruling a 'paper tiger' and a legal farce. Despite the ruling's significance in international law, China continues to dismiss its validity while maritime tensions with the Philippines reach a decade-high peak.
Rhetoric vs. Reality: Why Manila’s Defense Chief is Loud while the President Stays Silent
Tensions between Manila and Beijing have reached a new peak as Philippines Defense Secretary Teodoro faces Chinese sanctions while President Marcos Jr. remains silent amid economic decline. Concurrently, China has demonstrated its maritime dominance through an extended Liaoning carrier group deployment and new military exclusion zones in the South China Sea.
Mapping Deeper Waters: Japan and the Philippines Challenge Beijing with East Taiwan Boundary Talks
Japan and the Philippines have launched landmark maritime boundary negotiations east of Taiwan, a move supported by the U.S. and major European powers. Beijing has condemned the talks as a violation of its sovereignty, viewing the coordination as a new form of Western containment in the Indo-Pacific.
Closing the Circle: Beijing Moves to Assert Permanent Jurisdiction East of Taiwan
The deployment of the research vessel Xiangyanghong 22 east of Taiwan signals Beijing's shift toward normalized maritime jurisdiction in the Pacific. By challenging Japanese and Taiwanese intercepts, China is effectively closing the administrative circle around Taiwan and responding to recent Japan-Philippines maritime boundary talks.
Tehran’s Toll Booth: Iran Signals Permanent Shift in the Strait of Hormuz
Iran’s parliamentary speaker has announced that the Strait of Hormuz will undergo a permanent change in status, including the imposition of 'service fees' on passing vessels. This strategic move aims to institutionalize Iranian control over the world's primary oil transit corridor and create a new source of economic leverage.
Beijing’s New Front: The Coast Guard’s Strategic Pivot to Taiwan’s East
The China Coast Guard has initiated law enforcement patrols east of Taiwan, effectively completing a maritime circle around the island. This move serves as a direct response to maritime boundary talks between Japan and the Philippines and asserts Beijing's claims to a 200-nautical-mile EEZ in the Western Pacific.
The Strait of Digital Strife: Iran’s New Gambit to Tax the Global Internet
Iran is asserting sovereign control over the seabed of the Strait of Hormuz, aiming to charge 'sovereignty fees' to US tech giants for subsea cables. While the legal and technical basis is contested, the threat to obstruct maintenance vessels could cause long-term digital disruptions between Europe and Asia.
Chokepoint Opportunism: Indonesia’s Malacca Toll Proposal Sparks Regional Backlash
A proposal by Indonesia to levy transit fees on the Malacca Strait has been withdrawn following intense diplomatic pressure from Singapore and Malaysia. Despite the de-escalation, India's multi-billion dollar military buildup on Great Nicobar Island signals a long-term shift toward strategic competition in this vital maritime corridor.
A Sea Divided: The Global Fallout of Washington’s Strategic Maritime Blockade
The International Maritime Organization has issued a rare condemnation of a U.S.-led maritime blockade, highlighting a major breakdown in international maritime norms. The blockade, aimed at strategic containment, threatens global supply chains and challenges the long-standing principle of freedom of navigation.
US Forces Intercept Panama‑Flagged Tanker in Indian Ocean After Caribbean Pursuit
US forces boarded the Panama‑flagged tanker Veronica III in the Indian Ocean after tracking it from the Caribbean, in a manifestation of Washington’s enforcement of a December 2025 blockade on sanctioned Venezuelan shipping. The move raises legal questions under the law of the sea, practical risks for shipping and insurance markets, and potential diplomatic fallout with flag states.