Nine years have passed since an Arbitral Tribunal, constituted under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), made a unanimous, clear, and binding ruling in the South China Sea arbitration between the Philippines and China.

The Tribunal found China's claims to 'historic rights' in maritime areas within its dashed line were inconsistent with UNCLOS and had no legal basis. It also found China had violated the Philippines' sovereign rights under UNCLOS and that its vessels had unlawfully created risks of collision and danger. Unfortunately, nine years later, we continue to see instability and destabilising conduct in the South China Sea.

UNCLOS plays a vital role in supporting peace and security in our shared Indo-Pacific region by setting out the comprehensive legal framework within which all activities in the ocean and seas must be carried out.

Regardless of their size, all states that have ratified UNCLOS have committed to uphold its freedoms, rights and obligations. This includes its compulsory dispute settlement procedures. The rule of law and good international citizenship mean states cannot simply choose whether or not to abide by rulings they dislike.

The Arbitral Tribunal's 12 July 2016 findings are final and binding on the Philippines and China. Australia has consistently joined international calls for compliance with this decision, and for disputes to be resolved peacefully in accordance with international law. We will continue to do so, because adherence to international law is essential for shared prosperity and a stable and peaceful region.