Zhu restated that Huangyan Island in the South China Sea has been an integral part of the Chinese territory and such a fact has been respected by the international community.

Philippine Vice President and Foreign Secretary Teofisto Guingona made a statement on March 15, claiming that Huangyan Island was part of the Philippine territory and the Philippines “has exercised sovereignty and jurisdiction over the area.”

Commenting on the statement, Zhu reiterated that China has “sufficient historical and legal evidence” to prove that Huangyan Island has always been part of the Chinese territory and its surrounding waters have been a traditional fishing ground for Chinese fishermen.

Plenty of Chinese historical literature has recorded that the island is part of the Chinese territory, he said, and the fact that China has full sovereignty and jurisdiction over the island is acknowledged by the international community.

He pointed out that Huangyan island “has never been within the Philippine territory.”

“A number of treaties that demarcate the Philippine territory indicate that its western limit is 118 degrees east longitude. Huangyan island, however, is to the west of the line, and belongs to China’s Zhongsha Archipelago,” the spokesman said.

He said that maps published by the Philippine government also show that Huangyan Island is not within the Philippine territory.

He refuted the Philippine claim based on the pretext of its “200-mile exclusive economic zone” and “geographical vicinity”, saying such a claim can find “no support in international law.”

Zhu again urged the Philippine side to respect the basic facts and the norms of international law, respect China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, observe the understanding and consensus reached by both sides through negotiations, and take concrete actions to safeguard stability in the South China Sea and Sino-Philippine friendship.

(People’s Daily 03/18/2001)