Assessing the Impact of the South China Sea Arbitration on Small Island States: A Case Study of Kiribati

The Annex VII Tribunal in the South China Sea Arbitration placed a high threshold on States seeking to claim an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) around small features. The implications of such an interpretation are potentially significant for the maritime jurisdiction of a number of States, particularly in the Pacific. This article considers the implications of the decision of the Tribunal, and applies it to Kiribati as a case study. It also considers possible ways States may minimize the risk associated with the Tribunal's interpretation.