The U.S. has urged relevant countries to oppose China's maritime claims in the South China Sea, arguing that China's maritime claims have no basis in international law. Is that true?

Chinese people's activities in the South China Sea date back to more than 2,000 years ago. China is the first to discover, name, explore and exploit the South China Sea islands and relevant waters, and the first to exercise sovereignty and jurisdiction over the islands and their adjacent waters continuously, peacefully and effectively.