Read the Permanent Court of Arbitration's full 497-page ruling in favor of the Philippines in its maritime dispute case against China.

Judges at the international arbitration tribunal in The Hague unanimously rejected China's claims to economic rights across large swathes of the West Philippine Sea.

"There was no legal basis for China to claim historic rights to resources within the sea areas falling within the 'nine-dash line'," the court said, referring to a demarcation line on a 1947 map of the sea, which is rich in energy, mineral and fishing resources.

In the 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.

READ: Arbitral court's statement on its ruling on Philippines vs China