Chinese Foreign Ministry: New Philippine 'maritime chart' illegal and invalid

The new "maritime chart" released by the Philippine side, which covers Zhongye Island, Mahuan Island and other reefs and islands in China's Nansha Qundao, is illegal and invalid, severely infringing upon China's territorial sovereignty, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday.

Spokesperson Guo Jiakun made the remarks at a regular media briefing in response to a related query.

Guo said Zhongye Island and Mahuan Island are part of China's Nansha Qundao, and are Chinese territory. 

"China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Qundao and their adjacent waters," Guo said, noting that the Philippines' territorial boundaries are defined by a series of international treaties, and China's islands in the South China Sea, including the Nansha Qundao, lie outside those boundaries.

The Philippines had illegally occupied some islands and reefs in China's Nansha Qundao, designated the so-called "Kalayaan Island Group" beyond its territorial boundaries, and issued a so-called "maritime chart" covering islands and reefs in China's Nansha Qundao, he said, adding that such actions have seriously infringed upon China's territorial sovereignty, and violated the UN Charter and relevant international law.

China firmly opposes any actions by the Philippines that infringe upon China's sovereignty and its rights and interests, and will continue to take necessary measures to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, he added.