The Philippines on Friday called on China to adhere to a nine-year-old arbitration ruling that nullified Beijing's claims in the South China Sea.

Foreign Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro made the call a day before the anniversary of the July 12, 2016 ruling by The Hague tribunal.

“Nine years hence, its legitimacy continues to be tested, challenged and subverted, putting not only the Philippines’ maritime interests in peril, but also the regional stability and prosperity we are all working so hard to achieve,” Lazaro said in a recorded video message at a forum commemorating the tribunal ruling hosted by Stratbase ADR Institute.

Lazaro said that The Hague ruling was “a cornerstone of Philippine maritime policy” along with the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and vowed that it “will remain so under my watch.”

She presented “four dynamics” that will guide Philippine maritime statecraft, which includes building alliances with like-minded states while keeping lines of communication “open bilaterally, both with China and with other ASEAN claimant states.”

“Galvanizing the rules-based order and promoting the arbitral award rests equally, if not primarily, with diplomacy,” Lazaro said.

“It is worrisome that China has continued to reject the binding Arbitral Award and persists with illegal, coercive, and aggressive actions under cover of a revisionist, self-serving interpretation and application of international law, particularly UNCLOS,” Lazaro said.

Lazaro said it is a “strategic consideration” that the Philippines continue the dialogue and consultation with China.

Using “effective diplomacy” on China, she said, has resulted in “several pragmatic solutions and positive outcomes,” such as the provisional agreement for the Philippine delivery of supplies to Filipino forces at Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal) to prevent a repeat of past confrontations.

“Our two countries have long-standing history and deeply ingrained cultural ties. Thus, our diplomacy will continue to firmly protest and disagree where it is right, but also collaborate where it is practical and beneficial for the country,” she said.

Manila, she added will use consultation and dialogue mechanisms with China “to maintain dialogue and diplomacy at the appropriate official levels” that is “in good faith, has a proper and conducive environment, and can enable the constructive management of differences without prejudicing our national position.” DMS