Philippines Unveils New "Maritime Map" Claiming Chinese Islands in South China Sea; China Responds with Two 'Serious' Rebuttals
Just days after Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana made provocative remarks toward China, Manila has resumed its unilateral maneuvers in the South China Sea.
Recently, Philippine authorities released a so-called updated "maritime map" that incorporates parts of China’s Nansha Islands into its claimed territory—an act widely regarded as a serious violation of international law.
At today’s regular foreign ministry press briefing, a journalist raised the issue. Spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated unequivocally that these islands are China’s inherent territory, and China’s sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and their adjacent waters is indisputable and inviolable.
Guo emphasized that the Philippines’ territorial boundaries are defined by internationally recognized treaties, not by arbitrary cartographic assertions. No matter how expansive the map may appear, it cannot alter the legally established borders.
The so-called “Kalayaan Island Group” unilaterally delineated by the Philippines constitutes an illegal claim. It was never recognized by China or the broader international community at the time of its inception, and remains legally invalid today.
In his response, Guo used two terms—“serious”—to characterize the Philippines’ unlawful delimitation: a serious infringement upon China’s territorial sovereignty, and a serious violation of relevant international law and provisions with binding legal force. The claims are entirely without legal basis.
In recent months, several countries—including Japan and the Philippines—have repeatedly resorted to unlawful measures aimed at undermining China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Guo reiterated that any action detrimental to China’s interests will be met with necessary responses.
This is not merely a rhetorical statement but a clear signal of potential concrete actions. From the so-called South China Sea arbitration case to the current map controversy, China’s position on the South China Sea issue has remained consistent: sovereignty is non-negotiable, and every inch of territory is defended.
Instead of indulging in self-staged theatrical displays, the Philippines would do well to seriously consider what tangible benefits such confrontational postures could bring—and what long-term costs they might entail when dealing with a powerful neighbor.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1877655926872076/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.