No islands in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea? That would be a stunning court decision.
South China Morning Post, Hong Kong
Taiwan and Beijing are certain to unite indirectly in protest if a Hague tribunal deems there are no land formations in the disputed waters.
The imminent ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague on the South China Sea territorial dispute will indirectly unite Taiwan and Beijing over a land feature controlled by Taipei, analysts say.
If the court rules that no land formations in the disputed South China Sea – including Taipei-controlled Taiping in the Spratlys – can be deemed islands, then both Taiwan and Beijing are certain to voice protests before ignoring the decision, the analysts say.
However, the chance of the tribunal making such a decision was slim, they said, given that Taiping, which extended across 46 hectares, was an island.
Taiwan controlled Taiping Island
The Philippines filed the arbitration case with the tribunal challenging Beijing’s claims to most of the South China Sea in 2013.
Manila also argued later that no feature in the disputed Spratly archipelago could be legally considered an island because they lacked the ability to sustain human habitation or economic life.
...
Although the US has no claim to any of the archipelago, Washington has been highly vocal and sympathetic to other claimants in disputes, due to its concerns that Beijing’s expansion of power in the South China Sea will undermine US interests in the region.
http://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1988597/46-hectares-south-china-sea-could-change-cross-strait
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Well, Taiping Island sure doesn't look like a "rock" to me, but what do I know.
If the UNCLOS based international tribunal rules that there are NO islands in the Spratly Islands chain but only rocks, that will be a stunner. China would have a right to say the fix was in if THAT happens.
Under the UNCLOS an island is entitled to a 200 mile exclusive economic zone, and Taiping Island is, I believe, about 137 miles off the Philippines. It's a VERY significant island for that reason.
And is this assertion by the Philippines moving the goal posts -- "Manila also argued later that no feature in the disputed Spratly archipelago could be legally considered an island because they lacked the ability to sustain human habitation or economic life."?
Hey, plant some sweet potatoes, raise a few pigs, collect rainwater, heck, I think I could retire to Taiping Island. If I didn't mind all the freedom of navigation task forces sailing by all the time. lol
