(VOVworld) – International political experts have spoken highly of the significance of the recent ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) on the Philippines lawsuit against China’s claims in the East Sea. Malcolm Cook, an expert from the Institute for Southeast Asian Studies said the rejection of China’s claim over the “nine-dash line” and conclusions regarding entities in the East Sea are significant, not only to the Philippines but also to China and other regional countries. After the ruling, China is facing a big challenge: how to change its approach to the East Sea issue.

Chinese dredging vessels are purportedly seen in the waters around Mischief Reef in the Spratly (Truong Sa) Islands in the East Sea. (Photo: Reuters)

Le Hong Hiep, another expert from the Institute for Southeast Asian Studies, said the historical ruling clarifies the claims of the parties involved, thus pushing them towards a settlement of disputes in the long run. He said the ruling has helped to considerably narrow the scale of disputes in the East Sea, especially those related to China’s claims of its “nine-dash line” and entities in Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago.