The United States Embassy in the Philippines, along with Australia, Canada, Estonia, Germany, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, New Zealand, Romania, Slovenia, and the United Kingdom, jointly reaffirmed their commitment to upholding the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal ruling on the South China Sea.The statement emphasized that China's expansive maritime claims lack legal basis under international law, particularly UNCLOS.

The nations condemned any destabilizing actions by China, including the use of coast guard and military forces to harass lawful operations in the region.They reiterated support for a free and open Indo-Pacific, advocating peaceful dispute resolution through dialogue and adherence to international law.

The joint declaration highlighted the importance of freedom of navigation and overflight, urging all parties to abide by the tribunal's decision and prioritize regional peace and stability.