Romania and 13 other states contest China's maritime claims in the South China Sea, asserting that they have no legal basis.

In a joint statement issued on Sunday, 14 countries, including the USA, Romania, and Japan, stated that China's extensive maritime claims in the South China Sea have no legal basis.

This was made on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Permanent Court of Arbitration's ruling, which decided in 2016 that China's sovereignty in this area is not supported by international law. Beijing has consistently rejected this decision. The statement emphasizes that the tribunal's ruling is binding and irrevocable between China and the Philippines. In recent years, the Philippines and China have had numerous maritime confrontations, with Manila accusing Beijing of provocative actions in its exclusive economic zone. Along with the mentioned signatories, the statement was also supported by other countries, including Australia, the United Kingdom, and Canada.