Envoys and top diplomats of at least eight countries on Wednesday, July 12, called for adherence to international law as China's continued activities in the South China Sea threaten the rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific amid the arbitral ruling already issued seven years ago. Ambassadors and foreign ministers of the US, Japan, France, UK, the European Union (EU), Australia, Canada and India issued their respective messages of support to Manila, which continues to uphold its sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea. The West Philippine Sea, located within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ), is part of the bigger South China Sea that China still contests to be its own. The Arbitral Award issued by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) on July 12, 2016 ruled in favor of the Philippines by rejecting China's historic "nine-dash line," stating that China violated several laws and obligations, among other things. The US State Department said China must behave according to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and stop its "routine harassment" of foreign personnel legally patrolling the waters. Japan, meanwhile, renewed its objection to illegal maritime claims in the South China Sea. Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa said China's refusal to accept the 2016 Arbitral Award "is against the principle of peaceful settlement of dispute in accordance with international law" and the UNCLOS as well as "undermines the rule of law as a fundamental value of the international community." "Japan reiterates its strong opposition to unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion," Yoshimasa said. "Japan strongly hopes that the parties' compliance with the award will lead to the peaceful settlement of disputes in the South China Sea," he added. Canada shared the same sentiment. Canberra said China's objection to the tribunal decision and "its coercive" behavior in the East and South China Seas "are dangerous and incompatible" with its obligations under international law. At a discussion organized by the Stratbase ADR Institute in Makati, the ambassadors to Manila of Australia, Japan, EU, France, UK, India and the US stressed the significance of maintaining a rules-based maritime order, a free and open Indo-Pacific and the respect for freedom of overflight and navigation. Australian Ambassador HK Yu said South China Sea "is a vital waterway for the entire international community" so Canberra wants to see a peaceful South China Sea "where international law is respected and adhered to, and waterways are open for trade." Yu's remark stemmed from Canberra's observation that the waterway "faces many risks and challenges," prompted by several maritime claims inconsistent with UNCLOS and militarization of its disputed features that are "causing tension." Japanese Ambassador Koshikawa Kazuhiko said Japan is committed to continue supporting the Philippines' claim and double its military cooperation with Manila, including through crafting a Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA); while EU Ambassador Luc Veron said the regional bloc "strongly opposes any unilateral attempts to change the peacefully established status of territories by force or coercion." Veron said EU also hopes "to develop cooperation and complementarity with other like-minded partners who are also active in building maritime security capacity in the Indo-Pacific, including the Philippines." Indian Ambassador Shambhu Kumaran called for adherence to international law as New Delhi looked forward to "better engagement" with Manila when it come sto maritime security. French envoy Michele Boccoz stressed France's position that "there is indeed no legal basis for China's expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea." Although France does not take position on sovereignty aspects, Boccoz said "it is in our fundamental interest to underline the importance of such efforts to maintain a non-confrontational, constructive behavior for regulating international relations." US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson said the Philippines "has the right to fully leverage its resources in pursuit of economic growth and prosperity" over the West Philippine Sea. Celebrating Manila's victory seven years ago, she said the award, an "essential piece," "provides the legal underpinnings for trade, investment, and all manner of economic activity" between the US and the Philippines. British Ambassador Laure Beaufils vowed that UK would play its part in ensuring a free Indo-Pacific by "standing up for what we believe in," particularly for the international law-based maritime order." "We will continue to demonstrate our support and stand up with the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-aggression. We will continue to oppose any action that raises tension," Beaufils added.