China Coast Guard reiterates sovereignty over Huangyan Island

The China Coast Guard issued a firm statement on Sunday reiterating to safeguard the country's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights in the waters near China's Huangyan Island in the South China Sea.

The statement underscored that the China Coast Guard would continue to patrol and enforce Chinese laws over Huangyan Island and its adjacent maritime areas. Furthermore, the Coast Guard vowed to uphold international legal regulations, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, while enhancing efforts to maintain maritime order, protect the region's delicate ecological balance, and safeguard the country's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights.

"Huangyan Island is an inseparable part of China's territory. For many years, China has consistently and peacefully exercised sovereignty and jurisdiction over the island," according to the statement.

It condemned the actions of the Philippine government that has increasingly sent military, police vessels, and civilian ships into waters near the island, exacerbating tensions and provoking conflict.

The China Coast Guard also said that the Philippines has not only encroached on Chinese maritime territory but has also encouraged illegal fishing activities around the island. Reports indicate that some Philippine fishing vessels have been involved in the unlawful capture of endangered marine species, including the use of toxic fishing methods that harm the delicate marine ecosystem.

The China Coast Guard also stressed that such actions, which violate Chinese laws and international environmental protection norms, threaten the region's fragile marine biodiversity and undermine the peace and stability of the South China Sea.

Also on Sunday, the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ministry of Civil Affairs jointly issued an announcement on the standardized names of certain islands and reefs in the South China Sea.

According to the announcement, the standardized places names of some islands and reefs in the South China Sea were authorized and published twice — by the China National Committee on Geographical Names in April 1983, and the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ministry of Civil Affairs in April 2020, respectively.

The standardized place names remain valid, according to the latest announcement.