China on Thursday called on relevant parties to view its 2023 edition of standard national map in an “objective and rational light.” Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin made the comments at a press conference in Beijing after some countries, including Malaysia, India and the Philippines, have protested against China’s claims over disputed territories staked in the new map.
“China’s position on the South China Sea is consistent and clear. The competent authorities of China routinely publish standard maps of various types every year, which aims to make standard maps available to all sectors of society and raise public awareness of the standardized use of maps,” said Wang.
“We hope parties concerned can view it in an objective and rational light,” the spokesman noted.
The “China Standard Map Edition 2023,” released by China’s Ministry of Natural Resources on Monday, illustrated its claims over vast portions of the South China Sea.
The latest map features a “10-dash line” in the South China Sea — with an additional dash to the east of Taiwan –, changing from the “nine-dash line” that China has been using in recent years.
Source: Kuwait News Agency