The Latest: China reserves right to declare air defense zone

In this photo taken March 30, 2014, a Philippine Marine, right, swims in the waters of Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. An international tribunal has found that there is no legal basis for China's claiming rights to much of the South China Sea. The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) issued its ruling Tuesday, July 12, 2016, in The Hague in response to an arbitration case brought by the Philippines against China regarding the South China Sea, saying that any historic rights to resources that China may have had were wiped out if they are incompatible with exclusive economic zones established under a U.N. treaty. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) In this photo taken March 30, 2014, a Philippine Marine, right, swims in the waters of Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. An international tribunal has found that there is no legal basis for China's claiming rights to much of the South China Sea. The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) issued its ruling Tuesday, July 12, 2016, in The Hague in response to an arbitration case brought by the Philippines against China regarding the South China Sea, saying that any historic rights to resources that China may have had were wiped out if they are incompatible with exclusive economic zones established under a U.N. treaty. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

By Associated Press July 13, 2016 3 min read

MANILA, Philippines (AP) – The Latest on an international tribunal’s ruling on the case filed by the Philippines against China’s claims in the South China Sea (all times local):

1 p.m.

A senior Chinese official says Beijing reserves the right to declare an Air Defense Identification Zone over the South China Sea, a move that would sharply escalate tensions in the disputed territory.

Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin told reporters Wednesday: “China has the right to do so . China has established an ADIZ over the East China Sea.”

He says such a move will be based on the level of threat against China.