Zhao, Suisheng

Abstract
This article analyzes China’s geopolitical maneuvers in the wake of the International Arbitral Court ruling over the South China Sea territorial disputes brought up by the Philippines. It finds that while the Philippines won the case in the sphere of international law, China won the geopolitical battle not only because the court does not have effective enforcement mechanisms but also because the international community lacked the will to induce significant compliance given China’s forceful rejection as a great power.