(VOVworld) - Parties to territorial disputes in the East Sea should hold negotiations following the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA)’s ruling on the Philippines lawsuit against China’s maritime claims, in order to avoid conflicts.

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

French Professor Pierre Journoud of Paul-Valery University 3, who is also a researcher at the Institute for Strategic Studies at the French Military School (IRSEM), said that in the nearly 500-page ruling, the PCA had rejected China’s claim to a historical right to the East Sea. The Court ruled that China’s artificial islands are not entitled to exclusive economic zones in accordance with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Regarding the viewpoint of France and the European Union (EU) on the issue, Journoud said that both his country and the EU support international law, especially the UNCLOS. The professor said France has called on all involved parties to step up negotiations, suggesting the EU and France use their experience in settling conflicts to help tackle the conflict in the East Sea.