Justice Carpio is a member of the Republic of the Philippines Supreme Court. In July he was reported as urging the Philippine Government to ask the Permanent Court of Arbitration to issue a provisional measure ordering China to stop its reclamation and construction activities in the South China Sea. The Philippine Government instituted arbitral proceedings against China’s claims on the South China Sea in the Court in January 2013, under the auspices of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. A decision is expected by the end of 2015.
Justice Carpio is concerned that moves by Southeast Asian nations surrounding the South China Sea to beef up their military forces could escalate, in the event of China not accepting a negative ruling by the international tribunal.
He describes China’s ownership claims on the South China Sea as having critical consequences for current and future generations of Filipinos.
Media are invited to attend the roundtable debate and interview Justice Carpio afterwards (RSVP essential). Roundtable attendees will include academics and diplomats.
Centre for Strategic Studies Roundtable—West Philippine Sea/South China Sea Dispute
When: Friday 4 September 2015, 10am-12pmWhere: Rooms 101 and 102, 16 Keburn Parade, Wellington
RSVP via email by Wednesday 3 September