Thursday during a press conference, China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin stated, “China’s position on the South China Sea is consistent and unambiguous. The competent authorities of China publish standard maps of various types on a yearly basis in an effort to make standard maps accessible to all sectors of society and to increase public awareness of the standard use of maps.”

He added, “We hope all parties involved will view it objectively and rationally.”

China released the 2023 edition of its “standard map” on August 28, staking claims over Arunachal Pradesh, the Aksai Chin region, Taiwan, and the South China Sea, sparking an enormous controversy. Despite India’s repeated assertions that Arunachal Pradesh has always been and remains an integral part of the country, the map was published.

Tuesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced in a statement that it had lodged a forceful protest with the Chinese government through diplomatic channels. “We reject these allegations because they are without merit. Such actions by the Chinese only serve to complicate the resolution of the boundary dispute, the MEA stated.

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Philippines rejects China’s “standard map”

The Philippines have also rejected China’s “standard map” that incorporates the nine-dash line (now a ten-dash line) in their territory. Republic Aeon cited the Philippines Foreign Ministry as saying, “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),” according to an official release.

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