Philippines rejects Chinese scholars’ claim over strategic island province near Taiwan
The Philippines has rejected claims by Chinese scholars suggesting that its northernmost island province of Batanes belongs to China, describing the assertions as unfounded and warning that such statements could deepen existing regional tensions.
Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro criticized the remarks on Thursday, calling them “baseless” and “ludicrous” while saying they should be challenged. His comments followed reports from Chinese state media that academics had argued Batanes was a natural extension of Taiwan and therefore linked to Chinese sovereignty.
The claims were reportedly made during a symposium held on June 30 involving scholars from several Chinese institutions, including Nanjing University. However, Beijing has not officially adopted or endorsed the position presented by the academics.
Teodoro said the statements raised concerns about China's broader strategic intentions in the region. He suggested that the remarks could reflect a wider effort to expand influence over maritime areas surrounding the Philippines.
The dispute adds another layer to already strained relations between Manila and Beijing, which are marked by long-running disagreements over territorial claims and maritime rights in the South China Sea.
Located about 160 kilometers south of Taiwan, Batanes is home to approximately 20,000 residents and occupies a strategically important position along the Luzon Strait, a major maritime corridor connecting the South China Sea with the Pacific Ocean.
The province has gained increasing importance in regional security planning and has hosted military exercises involving Philippine forces and their allies, including the United States.
The latest controversy comes amid broader diplomatic and security developments in the Indo-Pacific. The Philippines and Japan recently announced plans to begin formal discussions on maritime boundaries for their exclusive economic zones and continental shelves in accordance with international law, a move that drew criticism from China.
Beijing claims sovereignty over large parts of the South China Sea, one of the world’s most important trade routes. Those claims were rejected in a 2016 international arbitration ruling, which found that China’s expansive territorial claims had no legal basis under international law.
As strategic competition continues to grow across the region, disputes over islands, maritime access and sovereignty are expected to remain central issues in relations between China and its neighboring countries.
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