China has dismissed the recent decision by Google to rename parts of the disputed South China Sea, which now labels maritime areas near the Philippines as the West Philippine Sea.
This change, made on Google Maps on Monday, has sparked mixed reactions, with the Philippines welcoming the shift, while China maintains its stance over the region.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian addressed the matter on Tuesday, stating that the term "South China Sea" has been universally recognized and used by the international community, including the United Nations and various international organizations. "The South China Sea has long been used as a universal location name recognized by the international community," Lin said, dismissing the renaming as a minor change.
Despite the update, the South China Sea label still appears on Google Maps to the north and west of the newly designated West Philippine Sea area.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) expressed support for the update, calling it a positive step towards accurate representation. "As defenders of national sovereignty, the AFP sees this as a valuable contribution to truthful representation and public awareness," said AFP spokeswoman Francel Margareth Padilla, as reported by the state-run Philippine News Agency.
Meanwhile, tensions continued to simmer in the region. China accused the Philippine Coast Guard of provoking a confrontation near Huangyan Dao, known as Panatag Shoal in the Philippines. China's state-run Xinhua News Agency reported that a Philippine vessel allegedly maneuvered close to a Chinese patrol ship, attempting to stage photographs. The Chinese Coast Guard stated that the Philippine vessel crossed near its ship four times before being ordered out of the area.
The South China Sea remains a hotly contested region, with overlapping territorial claims from China, the Philippines, and other Southeast Asian nations. China asserts control over nearly the entire area, which includes vital shipping lanes and potential underwater resources.
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