HEADLINE ASIA GEOPOLITICS | Philippines-PH rejects the 2023 version of China’s standard map
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Photo: The Dictator and the Traitor.
THE Philippines has rejected the 2023 version of China’s standard map because of its inclusion of the nine-dash line, now a 10-dash line that supposedly shows China’s boundaries in the South China Sea.
China’s Ministry of Natural Resources issued the map on Aug. 28, 2023 which was opposed by India and Malaysia because it included parts of their territories.
The “standard map” released by Beijing’s state-owned newspaper, Global Times, lays claim to a large part of the South China Sea, including the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea.
The map also showed Taiwan, as well as India’s northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin region, as part of China’s domain.
Memento Maxima Digital Marketing“This latest attempt to legitimize China’s purported sovereignty and jurisdiction over Philippine features and maritime zones has no basis under international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos),” the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.
The Philippines rejects the 2023 version of China’s standard map as it features a ten-dashed line that claims territory over parts of the Philippines, PTV reports on Thursday.
PTV says the DFA has issued a statement saying that the latest attempt by Beijing to claim sovereignty and jurisdiction over the Philippine features and maritime zones, has no basis under international law and stressed that the 2016 Arbitral Award has invalidated the then nine-dashed line.
Malaysia has also rejected the new Chinese map.
Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Brunei also have overlapping claims in parts of the sea, while the United States sends naval vessels through it to assert freedom of navigation in international waters. — PTV with reports from AFP
The 2016 Arbitral Award “invalidated the nine-dash line,” the DFA stressed in a statement on Thursday.
“It categorically stated that ‘maritime areas of the South China Sea encompassed by the relevant part of the ‘nine-dash line’ are contrary to the Convention and without lawful effect to the extent that they exceed the geographic and substantive limits of China’s maritime entitlements under the Convention,'” the DFA said.
“The Philippines, therefore, calls on China to act responsibly and abide by its obligations under Unclos and the final and binding 2016 Arbitral Award,” the Foreign Affairs department added.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said the release of the 2023 edition of the standard map “is a routine practice in China’s exercise of sovereignty in accordance with the law.”
“We hope relevant sides can stay objective and calm, and refrain from over-interpreting the issue,” Wang said in a statement on Wednesday shared by the Chinese Embassy in Manila.
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel 3rd said the Philippines has “no obligation” to recognize the territorial claims of other countries as China released a new map further extending its land and sea boundaries.
“It is important to concentrate on our own position: on the extent of our territorial claims as well as maritime zones,” Pimentel said in a text message.
Sen. Ana Theresia “Risa” Hontiveros has described China as “delusional” after it released a new map showing a 10-dash-line that claims the West Philippine Sea as part of Chinese territory.
“China is delusional. This ‘map’ is Beijing’s desperate attempt to assert its lies and propaganda,” Hontiveros said.
Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero said, “China can issue, however, many maps they want to issue. It does not affect us nor does it impinge on the Arbitral Ruling in our favor.”
“Any unilateral declaration by a State has no weight nor standing in international law,” Escudero said.
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