Why did Pompeo call Beijing’s claims unlawful in July 13 statement?

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Pompeo Declared Beijing's South China Sea Claims Unlawful Based on Arbitral Tribunal Ruling

In a July 13 statement, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo declared Beijing's claims to offshore resources in the South China Sea "completely unlawful." This assertion aligns the US position with the South China Sea arbitral tribunal's decision, which the US considers final and legally binding on China and the Philippines. Pompeo specifically addressed the legal status and maritime jurisdiction concerning Mischief Reef, Second Thomas Shoal, Vanguard Bank, Luconia Shoals, and the exclusive economic zone of the Natuna Islands, areas claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia respectively.
Alignment with Arbitral Tribunal Ruling

Pompeo's statement explicitly linked the US position to the South China Sea arbitral tribunal's ruling, emphasizing that the award is both final and legally binding on China and the Philippines. This alignment signifies a shift in US policy, moving from a neutral stance to actively supporting certain claimants against China. The US view is that Beijing's extensive maritime claims, which encompass a significant portion of the South China Sea, lack a legal basis under international law.
Rejection of Historical Claims and Nine-Dash Line

A key element of Pompeo's argument was the assertion that China had not formally presented its "Nine Dash Line" claim prior to 2009. Furthermore, the US position, as articulated by Pompeo, holds that the Spratly Islands, as a whole, cannot generate maritime rights. This challenges China's historical assertions and its broad interpretation of the Nine Dash Line, which it has used to claim sovereignty over a vast swathe of the South China Sea.
Broader US Engagement in South China Sea Disputes

The US has also engaged directly with the United Nations on the South China Sea issue. On June 1 of the same year, the United States submitted a note verbale to the UN Secretary-General. In this submission, the US argued that China's claims based on historical rights within the Nine Dash Line, its maritime claims concerning offshore archipelagos, and its straight baseline claims are without legal foundation. This action demonstrates a broader US strategy to challenge China's assertions through international legal and diplomatic channels.

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Why did Pompeo call Beijing’s claims unlawful in July 13 statement?

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