The United States is urging all parties to avoid provocative statements or actions after an arbitration court ruled China has no historic title over the waters of the South China Sea.

State Department spokesman John Kirby said the decision is an important contribution to the shared goal of a peaceful resolution to disputes in the area.

He said the United States supports efforts to resolve South China territorial and maritime disputes peacefully.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague has decreed there's no legal basis for China to claim historic rights to resources within much of the South China Sea.

But China, which boycotted the hearings at the court, has vowed again to ignore the ruling and says its armed forces would defend its sovereignty and maritime interests.

Professor of Chinese Studies at Kings College in London, Kerry Brown told Rachel Smalley violence between China and other parties could escalate as a result of the ruling.

"There's a possibility that this will just increased tensions so that something happens that sparks off a real conflict."

LISTEN ABOVE: Professor Kerry Brown speaks with Rachel Smalley about the ruling