ISTANBUL, April 16 – China dismissed on Tuesday the recent renaming of parts of the disputed South China Sea by Google, which now labels maritime areas near the Philippines as the West Philippine Sea, Anadolu news agency reported.
“South China Sea has long been used as a universal location name recognized by the international community. This name is widely accepted by the countries around the world, the UN and other international organizations,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told reporters in Beijing.
The South China Sea label still appears to the north and west of the area now marked as the West Philippine Sea. Google Maps implemented the change Monday.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines welcomed the update, according to the state-run Philippine News Agency.
“As defenders of national sovereignty, the AFP sees this as a valuable contribution to truthful representation and public awareness,” said spokeswoman Francel Margareth Padilla.
Separately, Beijing accused the Philippine Coast Guard of provoking a confrontation Monday near Huangyan Dao, known as Panatag Shoal in the Philippines. China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency said Tuesday that a Philippine vessel allegedly maneuvered close to a Chinese patrol ship to stage photos.
The Chinese Coast Guard said the vessel crossed near the bow of its ship four times before being ordered out of the area.
The Philippines and China have overlapping claims in the South China Sea, with Beijing asserting control over nearly the entire region.
