The Chinese government has rejected an international court ruling on its dispute with the Philippines over territory in the South China Sea. The ruling Monday said the Philippines has a legitimate territorial claim to the waters around a chain of islands claimed by both countries. The South China Sea is one of the busiest trade routes in the world and also contains significant oil and gas reserves. The Filipino government had asked the International Court of Arbitration to take up the issue after complaining the Chinese government was preventing Filipino fishermen from working in the waters. The decision is nonbinding, and the Chinese government has accused the United States government of causing trouble in the region. The U.S. government’s official position is that the area should be considered international waters.