Philippines takes South China Sea claim to Hague court

The Philippines asked global judges on Tuesday to recognise its right to exploit waters in the South China Sea, a case that could bolster territorial claims by other countries against China in the resource-rich body of water. China, which claims economic and territorial rights in almost the entire sea, has boycotted the proceedings and rejects the court's authority in the case. But experts say a ruling could influence other cases in the heated South China Sea dispute - involving Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei and other countries. Indonesia has signalled it may also go to the court to counter an increasingly-assertive China that has heightened tension in the region. Read more