What Did the Nine-Dash Line Ruling Accomplish?

Welcome to Foreign Policy’s Southeast Asia Brief.

The highlights this week: In the lead-up to the 10th anniversary of the nine-dash line ruling, China rattles sabers and nerves in the South China Sea; Indonesia rolls out the red carpet for Modi’s visit; Myanmar achieves an ASEAN breakthrough; and the family abuse scandal rocking Thailand.

China Rattles Saber on South China Sea Anniversary

Sunday saw the 10-year anniversary of the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s ruling against China’s nine-dash line. Fourteen countries reacted by reaffirming the ruling. China, predictably, reacted with saber-rattling.

To recap the case: In 2012, prompted by a standoff at Scarborough Shoal, the Philippines sought international arbitration. China refused to participate in or recognize the process. It went ahead anyway, and the court ruling eviscerated China’s position, ruling its infamous nine-dash line invalid and faulting China on other points.