Beijing Opposes Philippine Maritime Map Including Chinese Islands in South China Sea

Beijing, Sept 29 (KUNA) -- China expressed its strong opposition on Tuesday to a new maritime map issued by the Philippines that includes Chinese islands and coral reefs, calling it a blatant violation of Chinese sovereignty. The statement was made by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun at a press conference in response to the Philippines’ National Mapping and Resource Information Authority releasing an updated version of its maritime map last Friday, which included the Nansha Islands and reefs such as Zhongye and Meihuan. Xinhua News Agency quoted Guo as saying, “Zhongye and Meihuan are part of the Nansha Islands, over which China’s sovereignty is indisputable. The Philippine maritime map is illegal and null and void.” He affirmed that the Philippines has illegally occupied some islands in the Nansha Islands, exceeded the scope of its own territory in defining what it calls the “Kalayaan Islands,” and published the “so-called maritime map,” which constitutes a serious violation of China’s sovereignty and a gross breach of the United Nations Charter and relevant international laws. He pointed out that the scope of Philippine territory has been defined by a series of international treaties, and that Chinese islands in the South China Sea, including the Nansha Islands, are not included within it. He added that China firmly opposes any Philippine attempt to undermine China’s sovereignty, rights, and interests, and pledged to take necessary measures to defend Chinese sovereignty in the South China Sea. (End) S L Q / N S A