An international tribunal in The Netherlands on Tuesday ruled against China in a bitter row over territorial claims to the South China Sea that is likely to ratchet up regional tensions. “The tribunal concluded that there was no legal basis for China to claim historic rights within the sea areas falling within the ‘nine-dash line’,” the Permanent Court of Arbitration said in a statement. All eyes were watching for reaction from the Asian political and military powerhouse, which had fired off a barrage of criticism even before the decision by the PCA in The Hague was announced.

Bencito, J. P., & Fabunan, S. S. D. (2016, July 13). PH wins ruling on sea dispute: UN tribunal rejects China’s territorial claims. Manila Standard, pp. A1, A2.