According to the organizers, the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Philippines’ lawsuit clarified the legal foundation for settling sovereignty disputes in the East Sea, motivating ASEAN countries in the struggle to protect their national sovereignty.

Professor Carl Thayer of the Australian Defense Academy praised the building of the Declaration on the Conduct of the Parties in the East Sea (DOC), while protesting China’s activities that complicate the situation and escalate tensions in the East Sea. According to the PCA’s ruling, China’s claim of the nine-dash-line has neither historical nor legal foundation. Professor Thayer urged ASEAN to promote COC negotiations by strengthening internal unity. He said China and ASEAN need to accelerate measures to build trust, promote diplomatic measures and develop conflict settlement measures in line with international law while practicing restraint, and avoiding actions that could increase tensions in the East sea.