China's Position on the Territorial Disputes in the South China Sea between China and the Philippines

7. The Issue of Huangyan Island (Scarborough Shoal)

The Huangyan Island is China's inherent territory. The Philippines once clearly stated that the island is not within its territory. First, a series of international treaties defining the domain of the Philippine territory provide that the Huangyan Island is outside the territory of the Philippines. The then Philippine ambassador to Germany explicitly stated in 1990 in his letter to German radio amateurs that the Huangyan Island is not within the territory of the Philippines. The documents issued in 1994 by the Philippine National Mapping and Resources Authority as well as the Philippine Amateur Radio Association all confirmed that the Huangyan Island is outside the Philippine territorial boundary. The Philippine official map issued in 2011 also marked the Huangyan Island outside the Philippine territorial border limits.

It is absolutely justified for the Chinese side to enforce the law in its own territory and waters. The Chinese side never bullies other countries, but we stick to the principle of "not to attack unless attacked". If certain countries are tolerated to create new territorial disputes in the 21st century, would there be any rules in the world? We urge the Philippine side to stop any provocative action at the waters off Huangyan Island, so as to avoid undermining peace and tranquility of the waters.