China’s new map covers West Philippine Sea

China has unveiled a new map of its entire country that shows its claim over the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) marked by not just nine but 10 dash lines around the region.

Xinhua, a government run news agency, published the photo of the map on its website on June 24 at around 8:00 p.m (China time). The photo caption reads: “Islands in South China Sea share the same scale with mainland and are better shown than traditional map.”

The photo of China’s new map. (Xinhua/Bai Yu)

The new map created by Hunan Map Publishing House shows China claiming the West Philippine Sea which stretches down the coasts of Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia.

The ruling Communist Party’s official People’s Daily on its website said the islands of the South China Sea on the traditional map of China are shown in a cut-away box that causes readers not to “fully, directly know the full map of China.”

Meanwhile, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Spokesperson Charles Jose told Manila Bulletin Online that China’s publication of the new map is “precisely such ambitious expansionism” that causes tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

“We reiterate that such a publication only shows China’s unreasonably expansive claim that is clearly contrary to international law and UNCLOS,” Jose said in a text message.

The Philippines has been embroiled in a dispute with China over ownership of the West Philippine Sea.

The West Philippines Sea is a major shipping lane that is rich in oil and natural gas reserves.


source:  Manila Bulletin