A Hague arbitration tribunal's decision rejecting China's claims of 'historic right' on South China Sea (SCS) was a "breathtaking and sweeping decision" and the parties concerned should abide by the ruling, an American expert on China said today.
The verdict also reinforced that "law, and not politics, is the basis of decision-making at sea", Peter Dutton, director of China Maritime Studies Institute, US Naval War College, Washington, said.
Sharing his "personal views" on this matter from the US over a Skype interaction with audiences here and in Delhi, he said the arbitration process was UN-backed and therefore it was 'mandatory' that it be respected.
"It's a pretty breathtaking and sweeping decision. It is very important that it was unanimous decision, by very learned scholars of (laws of) international seas and judges of international tribunal. All are unanimous in supporting this decision," he said.
"They reinforced that law and not politics is the basis of decision-making at sea. It is a strong reinforcement of international law over power politics," he said.
Further, it was a 'rebuke' of China's 'behaviour' over SCS, he added.
Dutton was of the opinion that the verdict had paved the way for other countries like Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei to pursue their Exclusive Economic Zones.
The Hague-based tribunal had yesterday concluded that there was no legal basis for China to claim historic rights within the sea areas falling within the 'nine-dash line', a verdict rejected by China and welcomed by Philippines.
The US had said the verdict gave a new opportunity to address maritime disputes peacefully, while India had urged all concerned to show "utmost respect" to the verdict.
