BEIJING — The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled on Tuesday that China has no historic rights over the South China Sea and has violated the Philippines’ sovereign rights.
According to Reuters, the tribunal ruled there was no legal basis for China’s self-claimed nine-dash line, which covers about 90 percent of the South China Sea. The tribunal added that China had infringed Philippines’ fishing rights at Scarborough Shoal and violated the country’s sovereignty by conducting oil and gas drilling near the Reed Bank.
"China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea shall under no circumstances be affected by those awards," Reuters quoted China’s Foreign Ministry as saying.
Chinese government also blames the United States for stirring up trouble in the South China Sea, claiming the region was peaceful and calm before U.S.’ re-balancing strategy.
Furious Chinese netizens have urged to start a war with the Philippines, claiming that the country’s sovereignty is not to be undermined. Meanwhile, Filipinos around the world are overjoyed with the ruling, with many renaming the South China Sea to the West Philippine Sea.
