China's new map rejected by four nations as baseless claims

China has unveiled a new map asserting its claims in the South China Sea, depicting what is known as the "U-shaped line" that covers approximately 90% of this hotly contested region. The South China Sea serves as a critical waterway for trade, handling over $3 trillion in trade annually. However, this latest move by China to assert its sovereignty over vast stretches of the sea has been met with resistance from multiple nations.

The Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam have all issued strong rejections of China's map, dismissing its claims as baseless and contrary to international law. These nations are challenging China's depiction of its territorial boundaries, which extend deep into the exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of neighboring countries, including Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia.

Contested claims and international response

The map released by China represents a broader area than its 2009 submission to the United Nations, which featured the famous "nine-dash line." The latest map introduces a new element: a 10-dash line that incorporates Taiwan, an island governed independently from mainland China, a fact highlighted by Taiwan's Foreign Ministry. The 10-dash line also includes territories democratically governed by Taiwan, further fueling international concerns.

The Philippines has called on China to abide by its obligations under international law and a 2016 arbitral ruling, which had invalidated the legal basis of China's claims represented by the U-shaped line. Malaysia, too, has filed a diplomatic protest, asserting that the new map holds no binding authority over its territory. 

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Vietnam has expressed strong opposition to China's claims based on the map, stating that they have no legal value and violate both Vietnamese and international laws. Moreover, Vietnam is investigating an incident where a Chinese vessel allegedly attacked a Vietnamese fishing boat in the South China Sea.

China's response and clarification

In response to the international backlash, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Wang Wenbin, stated that China's position on the South China Sea issue has always been clear and that it regularly updates and releases various standard maps. He urged relevant parties to view the map objectively and rationally.

This controversy surrounding China's map underscores the ongoing tension in the South China Sea, where competing territorial claims have created a volatile geopolitical situation. The latest map has intensified concerns among neighboring countries and prompted them to reiterate their commitment to upholding their own territorial rights and international law in the region.

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In summary, China's release of an expansive map asserting its claims in the South China Sea has led to strong opposition from multiple nations, including the Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam. These countries view China's claims as baseless and in violation of international law, adding to the ongoing tensions in this contested region.