Full coverage: The South China Sea Issue

An international tribunal Tuesday has ruled against China over territorial rights in the South China Sea. The Chinese government has issued a statement on its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in this region.

The statement says China was the first to discover, name, explore and exploit the South China Sea islands and their surrounding waters, and the first to have exercised sovereignty and jurisdiction over them continuously, peacefully and effectively, thus establishing territorial sovereignty and rights and interests in the South China Sea.

The Chinese government has reaffirmed its rights and interests in maps and a series of legal instruments.

The statement says China has sovereignty over islands including the Dongsha, Xisha, Zhongsha and Nansha. It has internal waters, territorial sea and a contiguous zone based on these islands. It also has an exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, and historical rights in the region.

The Chinese government says China has always firmly opposed the invasion and illegal occupation of islands and reefs of China' s South China Sea islands. It also opposes activities infringing upon China' s rights and interests in maritime areas under China' s jurisdiction.

The statement says China is willing to resolve disputes peacefully through negotiation and consultation with states directly concerned, and jointly develop relevant areas. It says China respects and upholds the freedom of navigation and overflight enjoyed by all states in the South China Sea.