China Opposes Philippine Map Including Disputed Spratly Features
SingTao · 2 SOURCES1 day ago2 MIN
Summary
The Philippines recently published an updated official nautical chart and plans to submit it to the United Nations for filing, according to one of the reports. The chart includes Pag-asa Island, known in China as Zhongye Dao, Lawak Island, known in China as Mahuan Dao, and other features within the Kalayaan Island Group. On September 29, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said those features are part of China's Nansha Islands and that China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and adjacent waters. He said Manila's actions seriously infringe China's territorial sovereignty, violate the UN Charter and relevant international law, and are therefore illegal and invalid.
Key Points
- The Philippine National Maritime Council announced the updated chart on September 25, showing the high-tide geographical features of Pag-asa Island and Lawak Island
- The revised chart also marks other islands and reefs within the Kalayaan Island Group, which the Philippines uses for part of its South China Sea claims
- One report said the Philippines intends to submit the new official chart to the United Nations for filing
- Guo Jiakun said on September 29 that Zhongye Dao and Mahuan Dao are part of China's Nansha Islands and therefore Chinese territory.
- Beijing said the Philippines had illegally occupied some Spratly features, exceeded its territorial scope, and issued a so-called chart that is illegal and invalid.
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers, the dispute matters because official maps and maritime claims can shape regional tensions in the South China Sea, an area closely tied to shipping and strategic stability. The latest exchange also shows that the China-Philippines dispute is extending beyond encounters at sea into formal legal and cartographic moves, with both sides hardening their positions.