Why China is now looking to have its say on international law

Beijing used to steer clear of multilateral tribunals, preferring to go one on one in disputes

But four years after a decision against it on the South China Sea, Beijing is taking more of an interest in global rules and the way they are made

Reading Time:3 minutes

Beijing refused to take part in the South China Sea case in The Hague. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 10:00pm, 5 Dec 2020Updated: 10:00pm, 5 Dec 2020

When the Philippines lodged its objections in an international tribunal to China’s sweeping claims to the South China Sea seven years ago, China was very clear.

Beijing refused to take part in the case in The Hague and refused to acknowledge the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s findings against it three years later.

Over the years, Beijing has preferred to use bilateral talks to resolve issues and safeguard its interests.

But there are signs that this could be changing amid the backlash from The Hague case and as China extends its international reach.

Now, China is seeking to shape the rules of broader international law to confront a spectrum of legal challenges, from its handling of the coronavirus pandemic to maritime disputes in the South China Sea.

The most recent sign of the change in strategic tack came in October, when Yang Jiechi, the country’s diplomat and a member of the Communist Party’s Politburo inner circle, stressed the importance of international law in addressing the challenges facing China – from territorial disputes to human rights.