China reiterated Tuesday its sovereignty over Huangyan Island and the Nansha Islands in the South China Sea.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu, in response to Philippine territorial claims over the islands, said: "China possesses indisputable sovereignty over Huangyan Island, the Nansha Islands and adjacent waters."

The Philippine legislature reportedly approved legislation stating that those islands were within the country's jurisdiction.

Jiang said that under the joint efforts of the parties concerned, the situation in the South China Sea was stable overall.

China hoped the countries involved would in practice abide by the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, and not take actions that might complicate or expand disputes, she said.

The spokeswoman called for concerted efforts of the parties concerned to safeguard the peace and stability of the South China Sea.

(Xinhua News Agency February 4, 2009)