Justice Carpio explains how China’s historical actions and nine‑dash line claim demonstrate hegemonic expansion in the South China Sea, marked by forceful seizures and militarization of disputed features to assert control contrary to international law.
Justice Carpio debunks additional historical and legal arguments China has used to support its South China Sea claims—showing that declarations like Cairo and Potsdam, and the San Francisco Peace Treaty, do not award the Spratlys or Paracels to China, and that analogies to the Monroe Doctrine are specious.
Justice Carpio refutes China’s claim of a peaceful history by detailing historical invasions of neighboring states and modern seizures of maritime features, and explains how China’s nine‑dash line aims to control nearly the entire South China Sea—at the expense of international law and ASEAN rights.
Justice Carpio explains why Scarborough Shoal has become a legal and strategic “red line” in the South China Sea dispute, rooted in Philippine historic rights, UNCLOS entitlements, and international opposition to China’s enhanced claims and potential militarization.
Justice Carpio compares China’s expansive South China Sea claims to a maritime Lebensraum, explaining how Beijing’s attempt to control vast waters and resources violates UNCLOS and was rejected by the 2016 Arbitral Award, and calls for ASEAN cooperation to uphold lawful sovereign rights.
Justice Carpio explains why China does not respect Philippine sovereignty, detailing historical seizures of maritime features and the invalidity of China’s nine‑dash line under international law, and why China’s conduct undermines Philippine sovereign rights.
Remarks (11 September 2014) by Antonio T. Carpio at the launching of the “Exhibit of Ancient Maps of Scarborough Shoal” — a cartographic exhibition presenting historical maps that show Scarborough Shoal as part of the Philippines, challenging China’s alleged historic claims under the “nine‑dash line.”