Chinese diplomat elected to maritime disputes tribunal amid South China Sea tension and US objection

Duan Jielong was elected to serve a nine-year term on the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea

The US opposed the Chinese candidate, arguing that China disregarded international law in the South China Sea

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Duan Jielong was among six judges elected at Monday’s 30th meeting of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Photo: Handout

Published: 11:09am, 26 Aug 2020Updated: 11:21am, 26 Aug 2020

Despite the opposition of the United States, a Chinese diplomat was elected as a judge to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (Itlos) to hear and settle maritime disputes at a time when China faces rising tensions with its neighbours over the South China Sea.

Duan Jielong, China’s ambassador to Hungary, was among six judges elected at Monday’s 30th meeting of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) at the UN headquarters in New York.

Duan will be the fourth Chinese official to serve as a member of the Itlos. His nine-year term starts on October 1.

The tribunal, established under Unclos, is an intergovernmental organisation based in Hamburg, Germany, to settle international maritime disputes. It has 21 seats and the election at the 30th meeting was to replace seven of the judges.

There are 168 States Parties to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Duan received 149 votes.

The US is not a Unclos signatory but had expressed strong objection to the Chinese candidate before the election, arguing that China disregarded international law in the South China Sea. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said China’s claims over the disputed waters were unlawful.

David Stilwell, US assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, said: “Electing a PRC [People’s Republic of China] official to this body is like hiring an arsonist to help run the fire department.”

Chinese diplomat elected to maritime disputes tribunal amid South China Sea tension and US objection

Duan Jielong was elected to serve a nine-year term on the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea The US opposed the Chinese candidate, arguing that China disregarded international law in the South China Sea

Duan Jielong was elected to serve a nine-year term on the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea

The US opposed the Chinese candidate, arguing that China disregarded international law in the South China Sea