China violated Philippines’ sovereign rights in South China Sea

An international tribunal has ruled in favor of the Philippines over a maritime dispute, claiming China has no legal basis to claim historic rights to the bulk of the South China Sea.

However, Chinese president Xi Jinping rejected the decision by the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

"China will never accept any claim or action based on those awards," Xi said, quoted in a Xinhua report. The chinese president said China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime interests in the waters would not, under any circumstances, be affected by the verdict.

According to Reuters, the tribunal concluded that China doesn't have the right to resources within its "nine-dash line," which extends hundreds of miles to the south and east of Hainan and covers some 90 percent of the disputed waters.

The international tribunal also ruled against Taipei’s claim over a 200-nautical mile economic zone on Taiping Island, also known as Itu Aba, which was counted as a rock, rather than an island.

The Taiwanese presidential office also refused to accept Tuesday’s ruling.

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