Published on: 2026-09-15
Source: People’s Republic of China — Translation
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Beijing, September 15 /Xinhua/ — The Philippines’ claim to the so-called “maritime jurisdiction” regarding the territory of China is illegal. This was stated on Tuesday by the official spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, Guo Jiakui.
Guo Jiakun made the corresponding statement at a regular briefing for journalists. He emphasized that China will continue to take resolute measures to protect its territorial sovereignty, maritime rights, and interests, firmly opposing any encroachments.
According to reports, in a statement published on September 11, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs asserts the sovereign rights and jurisdiction of the Philippines over the Meiji and Zhubei reefs as drying at low tide elevations within the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf of the Philippines. Later, the department amended the wording, asserting Philippine sovereignty over the Zhubei reef as a drying at low tide elevation within the territorial waters of Zhongye Island.
“The Nansha Archipelago, including the Meiji, Zhubi reefs and Zhongye Island, is inherently Chinese territory. China’s construction and other activities on its own territory are fully justified and legal and fall within the sovereignty of the People’s Republic of China,” noted an official representative of the Chinese foreign affairs department.
According to him, the territorial boundaries of the Philippines are defined by a number of international treaties, and the Nansha archipelago has never been part of Philippine territory.
“According to the principle of international law ‘land dominates over the sea,’ the Philippines’ claim to the so-called ‘maritime jurisdiction’ regarding Chinese territory is illegal,” the Chinese diplomat stated. As he noted, initially the Philippine side claimed that Zhuobi Reef is within its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, and then asserted that it is located in the territorial waters of the island illegally occupied by the Philippines.
“This only exposes the absurdity and arbitrariness of the claims made by the Philippine side and does not stand up to any criticism,” stated Guo Jiakun.
He emphasized that the “South China Sea arbitration” is a pure political manipulation by the Philippines aimed at obtaining illegal benefits, and the so-called “arbitral award” is illegal, invalid, and has no binding force.
As noted by Guo Jiakun, the so-called Philippine “Maritime Zones Act” wrongfully includes the Chinese island of Huangyan, the majority of islands and reefs of the Nansha archipelago, and the corresponding waters in the maritime zone of the Philippines, which grossly violates China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, and is illegal and invalid.
“The Chinese side is firmly opposed to and absolutely rejects this,” said Guo Jiakun, adding that the Philippines should immediately cease encroaching on China’s rights, as well as provocations and speculations. –0–
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