nhk world's charmaine deogracis reports. >> we welcome the decision of the tribunal. the ruling on the jurisdiction paves the way for the furtherance of the proceedings to evaluate the merits of the position. we will await advice from the tribunal. >> reporter: china took this shoal under its de facto control in 2012 and has been reclaiming islands in the spratlys. the permanent court of arbitration found that these and other cases were valid for it to consider. one cornerstone of the philippines legal strategy is to seek the invalidation of china's so-called nine dash line. china claims it has historic right to sovereignty inside the line which takes in almost the entire south china sea. manila claims the line should not be recognized under the u.n. convention on the law of the sea. the court says it will decide whether the line is also subject to its authority. china has reacted sharply to the court's decision. >> translator: the plea denies china's interests. it's intended to confirm philippine interests and will not resolve the dispute. we don't accept the hearing

charmaine deogracis, nhk world. >>> that wraps up our bulletin. i'm patchari raksawong in bangkok. >>> u.s. media reports say president barack obama may send militaryessels to the disputed area in the south china sea. and a senior chinese official has warned against any intrusions. >> china will not allow any country to violate its territorial waters or the air space around the islands under the pretext of freedom of navigation and flight. we urge those concerned not to take any provocative action. >> hua says china has always respected freedom of flight and navigation based on international law. american officials say the artificial islands cannot constitute the basis for 12 nautical mile territorial waters. some u.s. media outlets report obama is poised to send navy ships inside the zone. obama and chinese president xi jinping had discussions over the south china sea in september. xi said his country has the right to uphold its territorial sovereignty and its legitimate maritime rights and interests. senior officials in japan and russia are look