Huangyan Dao (also known as Huangyan Island) is China's inherent territory and China has indisputable sovereignty over it and its adjacent waters, the foreign ministry said on Friday.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Wang Wenbin (Photo: Chinese foreign ministry)
Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Wang Wenbin made the remarks at a routine press briefing in Beijing in response to Philippine National Security Advisor Eduardo Año's statement Wednesday criticizing China's stance and propositions on the issue related to Huangyan Dao.
"China exercises sovereignty and jurisdiction over Huangyan Dao in a continuous, peaceful and effective manner," added Wang.
The territory of the Philippines is defined by a series of international treaties, including the 1898 Treaty of Peace between the United States of America and the Kingdom of Spain, the 1900 Treaty between the United States of America and the Kingdom of Spain for Cession of Outlying Islands of the Philippines, and the 1930 Convention between His Majesty in Respect of the United Kingdom and the President of the United States regarding the Boundary between the State of North Borneo and the Philippine Archipelago, Wang noted.
"Huangyan Dao has never been within the territorial limits of the Philippines," said the spokesman. "It is inconsistent with international law for the Philippines to claim sovereignty over Huangyan Dao on the grounds of its comparative proximity to Philippine territory or claim sovereign rights and jurisdiction on the grounds that Huangyan Dao is within the Philippine exclusive economic zone."
"The South China Sea arbitration is completely a political manipulation by the Philippines for seizing illegal benefits. The award is null and void, and China does not accept or recognize it, and will never accept any claim or action based on the award," said Wang. "China's sovereignty and rights and interests in the South China Sea shall not be affected by the illegal award under any circumstances."
(Compiled by Lyu Murong)