Published on: 2026-07-31
Source: People’s Republic of China — Translation
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Beijing, July 31 /Xinhua/ — On Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China issued a statement regarding the Philippines’ establishment of so-called “territorial sea baseline lines” near the Chinese island of Huangyan Island.
This step constitutes a “blatant encroachment on China’s territorial sovereignty and a serious violation of international law, including the UN Charter and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), is illegal and has no legal force. China strongly opposes and rejects this,” the statement said.
“Huangyan Island is an integral part of China’s territory. China has indisputable sovereignty over this island and the adjacent waters, as well as sovereign rights and jurisdiction regarding the respective waters. China has continuously and continues to peacefully and effectively exercise sovereignty and jurisdiction over Huangyan Island,” the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.
The statement notes that the territory of the Philippines is defined by a number of international treaties, and the island of Huangyan Island has never been part of it. “The Philippines’ illegal territorial claims to the Chinese island of Huangyan Island are completely unfounded from the perspective of international law,” the document emphasizes.
As stated in the declaration, the unilateral initiation by the Philippines of the “South China Sea arbitration” violates fundamental principles of international law, including the principle “pacta sunt servanda” (agreements must be kept), the doctrine of estoppel, norms of international law including UNCLOS, as well as the bilateral agreement between China and the Philippines and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.
“The so-called “decision” is illegal, invalid, and has no binding force. China does not accept or recognize this “decision”, and also opposes any claims or actions based on it, and rejects them,” the statement reads.
According to the statement, the so-called Philippine “Maritime Zones Act,” adopted under the pretext of implementing the provisions of UNCLOS, illegally includes the Chinese island of Huangyan Island and most of the islands and reefs of the Chinese Nansha Archipelago, as well as the corresponding waters, within the maritime zones of the Philippines, and represents an attempt to enshrine the illegal “South China Sea arbitration ruling” in the form of domestic legislation.
“This document grossly violates China’s territorial sovereignty, as well as its maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, and is illegal, invalid, and without any legal effect,” the statement says.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs also stated that China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests regarding Huangyan Island and the Nansha Archipelago must under no circumstances be affected by the so-called “Maritime Zones Law.”
The statement notes that for some time the Philippine side has been regularly provoking in the waters near Huangyan Island and speculating on maritime disputes between China and the Philippines. “These actions trample on China’s territorial sovereignty, as well as its maritime rights and interests, increase tension at sea, and undermine peace and stability in the South China Sea.”
“The Chinese side strongly urges the Philippines to genuinely respect China’s territorial sovereignty, as well as its maritime rights and interests, and to refrain from any actions infringing on these rights or of a provocative nature in the area of Huangyan Island. Otherwise, China will take decisive measures,” the statement from the Chinese foreign ministry emphasizes. –0–
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