China refuses South China Sea arbitration award

"The award is null and void and has no binding force,"Xinhua news agency quoted Chinese Foreign Ministry as saying in a statement.

Chinese President Xi Jinping  also rejected any proposition based on the arbitration award.

"Chinese President Xi Jinping said China will not accept any proposition or action based on the award issued on Tuesday by the South China Sea arbitral tribunal unilaterally initiated by the former Philippine government," Xinhua reported.

The international tribunal at The Hague, on Tuesday, ruled that China has no historic title over the waters of the South China Sea, according to media reports.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled that China's expansive claim to sovereignty over the waters had no legal basis.

Philippines had brought the case to the tribunal saying that Chinese activity in the region is against international law.

Over the years, China has been laying claim over the South China Sea. Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Japan has always disputed China's claim. The United States too got involved as it backed the nations opposing China's claims.

The tribunal in The Hague said China had violated the Philippines' sovereign rights. It also said China had caused "severe harm to the coral reef environment" by building artificial islands, reported the BBC

However, experts fear the decision may escalate the ill-feeling existing between China and other countries who oppose its claims.

Perfecto Yasay, Philippines' Foreign Affairs Secretary welcomed the ruling but also said that those concerned should "exercise restraint and sobriety."