Tribunal rules against Beijing in South China Sea dispute; says it has 'no historic rights'

An arbitration tribunal in The Hague on Tuesday rejected China's claims to economic rights across large swathes of the South China Sea (SCS), saying China has 'no historic rights' in SCS.

"China has no entitlement to economic zone within 200 miles of mischief reef or Thomas Shoal. China has breached Philippines' sovereign rights by exploring resources near reed bank," found the Tribunal.

It also found that Chinese actions have aggravated Philippines dispute during resolution attempts.

In the 497-page ruling, judges also found that Chinese law enforcement patrols had risked colliding with Philippine fishing vessels in parts of the sea and caused irreparable damage to coral reefs with construction work.

China, which boycotted the case brought by the Philippines, has said it will not be bound by any ruling.

The ruling stands to further ramp up tensions in the region, where China's increased military assertiveness has spread concern among its smaller neighbours and is a point of confrontation with the United States.

The United States and China regularly conduct military exercises in the area, which is of vital interest to both Beijing and Washington, and have accused each other of provocations as recently as last month.

"Whether there will be an escalation of tensions in the South China Sea depends on if the US incites the Philippines to take aggressive actions or even if the US itself steps forward," the influential state-run Chinese newspaper the Global Times had said in an editorial on Friday.

(With agency inputs)