What they say

The ruling (in Manila's arbitration case) is narrowly legalistic and overambitious. It badly breached the basic principle of arbitration that requires all concerned parties to a dispute to jointly request such a process and also participate in its proceedings. China did neither and is not bound by this judgment.

Swaran Singh, professor, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.

The nine-dash line claim was established long before the Convention (on the Law of the Sea) and had not met egregious objections. Therefore, the tribunal's decision to exclude the 'historical right' factor totally from its consideration is illegitimate. This 'historical right' issue is not one suitable for being an adjudication subject, but should be dealt with in the lawmaking scenario in the convention.