Artificial intelligence (AI) has weighed in on China’s controversial nine-dash line claim in the South China Sea, deeming it “invalid.” The AI tool Grok, created by X (formerly known as Twitter), recently highlighted the lack of legal basis for this claim under international law.
“The PRC’s nine-dash line in the South China Sea has no legal basis under international law,” Grok stated, referring to China by the initials of its official name, the People’s Republic of China. The AI emphasized a key ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in 2016, invalidating China’s sweeping maritime claim. This ruling aligns with the principles outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The 2016 tribunal’s verdict also upheld the Philippines’ sovereign rights over its 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Grok further explained, “China claims historic rights, but the line, drawn in 1947, overlaps with other nations’ zones, like the Philippines’ EEZ.”
The contentious nine-dash line has been at the center of escalating tensions in the South China Sea. China’s extensive island-building activities and militarization efforts within the region have drawn sharp criticism from neighboring countries and the international community. Despite the 2016 ruling, China continues to assert its claim, citing historical rights—a justification many have labelled unfounded.
As disputes in the South China Sea persist, Grok’s commentary adds a unique perspective, underscoring how artificial intelligence recognizes the validity of international law and the importance of respecting territorial rights. This insight further amplifies calls for adherence to the 2016 ruling and promotes dialogue toward peaceful resolution in the region. No doubt the Chinese AI Deepseek will disagree however.
