At the recent regular press conference of our Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there was a response regarding an issue related to the naming rights of the South China Sea. A reporter asked about the name change on Google Maps, where the waters west of the Philippines are now labeled as the "West Philippine Sea," while previously they were referred to as the South China Sea. The Philippine spokesperson welcomed this move, stating that it would help the Philippines protect its sovereignty. What is the Chinese government's response to this change by Google Maps?
The press conference was hosted by spokesperson Lin Jian, who briefly emphasized one sentence: the South China Sea has always been an internationally recognized common name, widely accepted by countries around the world and international organizations such as the United Nations.
As the spokesperson stated, the name "South China Sea" has been in use for centuries, and Western references generally call it the "South China Sea" or "Nanhai." The name "South China Sea" can be traced back to ancient Chinese geographical literature. As early as in Han Dynasty texts from over two thousand years ago, records of the South China Sea islands have been found. For example, in the "Geographical Records of the Han Dynasty" (《汉书·地理志》), the South China Sea was referred to as the "Rising Sea," describing its vast and turbulent natural characteristics.
Western usage of the term "South China Sea" began during the 16th century Age of Exploration. During this period, Western navigators commonly labeled this sea area as the "South China Sea." This name has long been adopted in international nautical charts, geographic research institutions, and United Nations documents, becoming an internationally recognized common name.
This is why the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs is not particularly concerned about Google's and the Philippines' attempts. The consensus on the name "South China Sea" has been deeply ingrained across various fields globally for hundreds of years and cannot be erased by Google's minor operations.
In contrast, we need to pay more attention to the cognitive warfare being conducted by the United States and the Philippines in renaming part of the South China Sea as the so-called "West Philippine Sea."
Since 2012, the Philippines has been promoting the "West Philippine Sea" naming campaign, spending $230 million, attempting to incorporate disputed maritime areas such as Scarborough Shoal into its sovereign territory. Since the U.S. launched its "return to the Asia-Pacific" strategy, it has also deliberately used the term "West Philippine Sea," attempting to reshape public perception of the South China Sea through its global influence.
Google Maps has now changed its labeling to directly align with the Philippines' long-standing claims, which the Philippine armed forces refer to as a "victory in national sovereignty."
The change in names not only implies the U.S. and the Philippines' attempt to reshape the international perception of the South China Sea but, more importantly, represents a serious infringement on our sovereignty. Because the so-called "West Philippine Sea" delineated by the Philippines includes Huangyan Island, which is part of our inherent territory.
Huangyan Island is strategically significant in the South China Sea, serving as a crucial forward base. It is not difficult to judge that the U.S.-Philippine push for the "West Philippine Sea" cognitive warfare aims to turn Huangyan Island into the Philippines' "territory" and create pressure on us in public opinion.
On April 14, a Philippine coast guard ship dangerously approached the waters near Huangyan Island, attempting to stage a collision for propaganda purposes, fabricating false narratives to smear our side. Under the professional and standardized operations of our coast guard, the Philippine intentions were thwarted.
These incidents remind us that the high-pressure situation in the South China Sea will continue indefinitely, and we must remain vigilant.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7493513560656478729/
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