Who has the more legitimate claim in the South China sea, China or the Philippines?

Map showing the shifting borders of the Philippines over time
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Who has the more legitimate claim in the South China sea, China or the Philippines? The answer is not as clear-cut as yesterday's decision by the PCA (Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague).

China was not represented and previous treaty's and claims support China's claim that the Phillippine's claim has no historical basis. Though China's claim may be weak, the Phillipine's claim is non-existent.

The big issue, of course, is whether the U.S. will attempt to enforce its will in the South China Sea and escalate tensions, possibly leading to military conflict.