The Philippines has rejected a new map from China that shows their expanded territorial claims, including parts of the West Philippine Sea.
The map includes a line with ten dashes, which is an increase from the previous nine dashes. This line is meant to represent China’s boundaries in the waterway. However, in 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration declared the nine-dashed line invalid.
China claims ownership of nearly the entire South China Sea, even though an international court ruled that their claim has no legal basis.
Other countries like Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Brunei also have overlapping claims in certain areas of the sea.
The United States also sends naval vessels through the sea to assert freedom of navigation in international waters.
China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson stated that the map is a regular practice for China to exercise its sovereignty within the boundaries of the law.
Senator Risa Hontiveros has called on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to file a formal complaint against China for releasing a new official map.
Hontiveros criticized China, calling them “delusional” and accusing them of spreading lies and propaganda through their map.
India and Malaysia have also expressed their objections to the Chinese map.
The 2023 edition of China’s map includes the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh and the Aksai Chin plateau as part of Chinese territory. India’s Foreign Ministry stated that China’s claims are baseless and only complicate efforts to resolve border disputes.
Malaysia, on the other hand, emphasized that the Chinese map has no legal authority in their country.
Source: PhilNews24 | August 31, 2023
