south china sea

A legally binding ruling from an international tribunal invalidated China's claims to the South China Sea. The country's vice foreign minister said, "I hope everybody puts the ruling in a paper bin."

China has built artificial islands in the disputed waters, which it claims as its own. Now a tribunal in the Hague has ruled those claims invalid.

Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced Thursday the two nations have patrolled the disputed waters. He also said more U.S. forces will be rotated through the Philippines.

China and several regional neighbors are locked in a growing dispute over the status of islands throughout the South China Sea. Here's a guide to what's at stake.

A guided missile destroyer sailed within 12 nautical miles of Triton Island on Saturday. It was a challenge to maritime restrictions by China, Taiwan and Vietnam, which all lay claim to the island.

A Defense Department official confirmed that the Navy operation to patrol near the Spratly islands is underway. China has claimed control but the U.S. says the area is in international waters.