Over the years, China has been laying claim over the South China Sea.
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The United States is also major player in the region and has sent warships and military aircraft around the South China Sea, including near disputed reefs and shoals, citing worldwide law and freedom of movement but triggering harsh warnings from China. It did not immediately comment on the contents of the ruling.
China on Tuesday denied to accept the Hague tribunal order, defining it as null and void.
In a 497-page ruling made public early Tuesday, the court ruled that China’s claim had no legal basis. “China neither accepts nor recognizes it”.
But China might choose to take a hard line with the Philippines, perhaps taking punitive measures such as sanctions, to send a message to other claimants, said Chinese military expert Yue Gang, a retired colonel.
A professor of Asian political economy said the ruling could be a “transformative moment” in the region.
First, the government continues to maintain that all parties involved in territorial disputes in the area should base their claims on worldwide law, spokesman Alex Huang said.
However, the tribunal and the PCA have no means to enforce the verdict, with compliance left to the parties concerned.
China has been tussling with other countries in the region such as the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan, over a group of islands and the waters around them.
“On the contrary, it would only escalate disputes and tension and should be resisted”, he added.
The ruling will likely not settle disputes in the South China Sea, where China’s aggressive territorial claims and island building have become a source of worldwide tension. Manila brought the case because China’s claims infringe upon its own 200-mile exclusive economic zone.
The Permanent Court of Arbitration said in a statement that there was no legal basis for China to claim historic rights within the sea areas falling within the “nine-dash line”.
The tribunal found that China had “violated the Philippines’ sovereign rights in its exclusive economic zone” by interfering with fishing and oil exploration activity, constructing the artificial islands, and failing to prevent Chinese boats from fishing there.
Filipino activists and Vietnamese nationals hold placards and wave Philippine flags.
And the country’s defense ministry said troops will defend what China considers its sovereignty. President Rodrigo Duterte said last week his government stood ready to talk to China if it gets a favorable ruling.
Meanwhile, the Chinese Navy has been carrying out exercises near the disputed Paracel islands. The five fishermen were rescued by a trawler some seven hours later.
The ministry will respond strongly if the ruling says Taiping is not an island, Lee said, adding that it will launch an global promotion campaign.
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Gomez reported from Manila, Philippines.
