A tribunal at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Netherlands, on Tuesday issued the ruling, more than three years after the Philippines brought the case challenging China’s territorial claims over the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. Both the Philippines and China have claimed sovereignty over the triangle of reef and rocks, and China has occupied it since 2012.

The Philippines eventually brought 15 claims against China in relation to the U.N. Convention Law of the Sea, which both nations have ratified.

China immediately rejected the ruling, labeling it “illegal” and arguing that the tribunal has no jurisdiction in the case.