MANILA, Philippines – China reiterated that “South China Sea” is the geographic name that has long been used, the Foreign Ministry of China said.
This is in reaction to the labelling of the body of water next to the Philippines as “West Philippine Sea” by U.S. tech giant Google and Google Maps.
During a regular press briefing in Beijing, Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian said that the geographic name “South China Sea” is recognized and accepted by the international community, including countries worldwide and international organizations such as the United Nations (UN).
China Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian listens as reporters ask questions during a regular press briefing in Beijing on 14 April 2025 / Courtesy of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The People’s Republic of China
On Monday, web-based mapping service and mobile application Google Maps labelled the western section of the Philippine’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) as “West Philippine Sea”, amidst China’s claims on the area and the rest of the territory in the South China Sea.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) hailed the “proper labelling” of the area, saying the inclusion of the West Philippine Sea on Google Maps and Google Earth is an affirmation of the country’s sovereign rights.
“This actually affirms the international recognition of the country's sovereign rights, which was upheld in the 2016 arbitral ruling under UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea),” AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla said in a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Tuesday.
“For the Armed Forces of the Philippines, as defenders of our national sovereignty, we see this as a valuable contribution to truthful representation, and of course public awareness,” Padilla said.
Under the administration of then president Benigno Aquino III, the term “West Philippine Sea” was first used in 2011, in reference to the maritime areas on the western side of the country within its 200-nautical mile within the EEZ.
