The Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam have rejected the map released by China, asserting its sovereignty claims in the South China Sea. China recently released a map, which outlines its U-shaped territorial claims encompassing roughly 90% of the South China Sea. In addition to having significant trade routes, this region is also home to numerous disputes.
China says that its U-shaped line is based on historical maps. This line extends as far as 1,500 km south of Hainan island. It also intersects with the exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of multiple countries in the region.
The latest map differs from China’s 2009 submission to the United Nations, which featured its “nine-dash line.” The new map includes ten dashes and encompasses Taiwan, similar to a 1948 Chinese map.
The Philippines called on China to act responsibly and adhere to international law, including a 2016 arbitration ruling that invalidated China’s claims in the region. The country rejected China’s attempt to legitimize its sovereignty claims. On the other hand, Malaysia filed a diplomatic protest over the map, emphasizing its non-binding nature. It emphasized that the South China Sea is a complex and sensitive territory.
Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson asserted that Taiwan is not part of the People’s Republic of China and emphasized the objective fact of Taiwan’s existence.
Vietnam also rejected China’s claims, asserting that they hold no value and violate Vietnamese and international laws. The Vietnamese foreign ministry resolutely rejected any claims based on the dashed line in the South China Sea.
Furthermore, Vietnam is investigating an allegation by Vietnamese fishermen that a Chinese vessel attacked their fishing boat with a water cannon in the South China Sea, injuring two fishermen.
China defended its position, stating that it regularly updates and releases various types of standard maps. The country hopes that relevant parties will view the map objectively and rationally.
Growing Tensions with India
In a separate development, India lodged a strong protest with China over a new map that lays claim to Indian territory. It adds more concerns to the already existing tensions between the two Asian nations.
